Hammurabi’s Code “An Eye for an Eye”

How to set up your Notes… Who. What. Where - Fair or not Fair? (Explain) – Examples.. How do we know about these laws?

A Code of Laws We owe the idea of laws to the Babylonians. King Hammurabi of Babylon first set down rules for everyone in his empire to follow. A written code, or organized list, of laws helps make sure laws are applied fairly to all.

Hammurabi’s Code The rules Hammurabi set became known as Hammurabi’s Code. The code told Babylonians how to settle problems in all aspects of their lives. Hammurabi’s Code contained 282 laws. The code even had laws for events such as adopting children, hiring boats, practicing medicine, and controlling dangerous animals.

An Eye for an Eye Hammurabi’s Code was based on the idea of an eye for an eye. In other words, a man who blinded another person would have his own eye put out. The code was not fair to all. Punishment often depended on how important the victim was. The higher the class of victim, the stiffer the penalty.

Examples of Laws A surgeon who causes the death of a patient must have his hand cut off. A man may sell his wife or children into slavery to pay a debt. Anyone who gets into a fight with someone and breaks any bones must pay that person one mina of silver.

How do we know all of this? Hammurabi’s Code was written on clay tablets in cuneiform!

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