1. Hammurabi's Code of Laws

2. Description of the Laws
The Code of Hammurabi is an ancient preserved law code created in 1790 B.C in ancient Babylon.
It was written by the sixth Babylonian king Hammurabi.
One nearly complete example of the Code is left today, inscribed on a seven foot, four inch tall, in basalt steel, in the Akkadian Language.

3. Relevant Dates Created in 1790 BC
Hammurabi ruled from 1796 BC to BC
The steel containing the Code of Hammurabi was discovered in by the Egyptologist Gustav Jequier.

4. Purpose of Creation
First ever written entire body of laws, arranged in orderly groups, so that all men might read and know what was required of them.
Ex. The witness who testifies falsely is to be killed. Indeed, all the heavier crimes are made punishable with death. Even if a man builds a house badly, and it falls and kills the owner, the builder is to be killed also. If the owner's son was killed, then the builder's son is killed.
This is where the Hebrews learned their law of "an eye for an eye”.

5. Importance to the Ancients
Hammurabi's Code of the ancient Mesopotamian society was important because it set the first written laws in human history.
The code contained 282 laws written in 12 tablets in the Akkadian language which was common in Babylonia.
This work is also a great source of information about the society, religion, economy, and history of this period.
Each part describes in detail a crime or incident, and the punishment/procedure for it.

6. Importance
For the first time, the notion of a separate judiciary as part of the overall government
This is a hallmark of modern democratic governments the world over.

7. Sections and Topics Bearing Witness; Possessions
Home Protection, Slaves, and Runaways
Chieftains and Captains (Guidance for Rulers)
Fields and Gardens
Money Lenders; Property Managers
Husbands, Wives, Children, Concubines
Criminal Behavior
Professions
Labor Standards

8. Major Ideas Public Proclamation of Laws Punishments Fit the Crime
Equal punishment for crimes (house falling in/eye for an eye)
Objective Application of the Laws
Very straightforward about who is at fault, and what the punishment will be (more stable and predictable

9. Major Ideas continued Principle of Retaliation Social Status
If a man hits a pregnant women, and she loses the baby he will pay ten shekels for her loss; if she dies, his daughter will be put to death
Social Status
Punishments decided by social class
If a slave is killed he owes the master money
Proper Performance of Work
Set price for hiring an oxen, cart, and driver