Hammurabi’s Code

What is an Empire? Empire (n.) – a large territory where several groups of people are ruled by a single government or leader Famous Empires: -Persian Empire -Roman Empire -British Empire -“The Empire” in Star Wars

—”to prevent the strong. from oppressing the weak —”to prevent the strong from oppressing the weak and to see that justice is done to widows and orphans.” -Epilogue, Hammurabi’s Code Hammurabi 1810 BCE-1750 BCE

Some Background Information Hammurabi ruled Babylon from about 1792- 1750 BCE Hammurabi’s Code was a set of laws that covered issues such as trade, payment for work, marriage, divorce, stealing, causing injury (intended and unintended), and other crimes

Some Background Information (CONTINUED) Hammurabi’s Code was written on tablets that were displayed throughout the empire for the subjects to see Laws become a necessity because there needs to be some force in society that can keep order, particularly when there are now thousands of people living together in city-states No jails in Babylonian Empire

Key terms Compensation- something, typically money, awarded to someone as a payment for loss, injury, or suffering Equivalent Retaliation- revenge that is equal to the injury that one has suffered Negligence- Carelessness, resulting in an unintended injury to another party Intent- Someone’s state of mind at the time one carries out an action

Glossary of Terms for Interpreting Code Activity Minor- under 18 years of age Sister of a god- unmarried holy woman, like a priestess Tavern- a bar or pub Physician- doctor Incision- a cut made during surgery

What should be done to a carpenter who builds a house and then the house falls down and kills the owner? If a builder builds a house for a man and does not make its construction sound, and the house which he has built collapses and causes the death of the owner of the house, the builder shall be put to death. (Law 229)

What should be done if a son is adopted and his birth parents want him back? If a man takes in his own home a young boy as a son and rears him, one may not bring claim for that adopted son. (Law 185)

If a son strike his father, his hands shall be hewn off. (Law 195) What should happen to a boy who slaps his father? If a son strike his father, his hands shall be hewn off. (Law 195)