Babylonian Empire and Hammurabi

The Code Of Hammurabi

Open Ended

What do you think are some important factors that influence the creation of laws and rules in a society?

King Hammurabi

He was the King Babylon 1795-1750 BCE

He created the Code of Hammurabi which
included 282 Laws

The code encouraged the people to accept his
authority. Also wanted to assign common rules
to govern all his Subjects

Main Features of the Legal system

Hierarchy of Babylonian
Society.

● Gods
● King
● Male Nobles
● Wives and Children of Male Nobles
● Poor and Slaves

Main Features of the Legal System

​The Wealthy were given more protection than the poor.

• The penalties of the code varied based on the status of the victim

• The Laws reflected a male dominated society

• Laws were  based on retribution and restitution (mainly focused on retribution)

• It unified the empire by offering a set of standard of moral values, class structure, and gender relationships.

Examples

• If anyone is committing a robbery and is caught then shall be put to death

• If a son strikes his father his hand shall be hewn off

• If a man knocks the teeth of an equal, his teeth shall  be knocked out.

• If a man strike a free-born woman so that she lose her unborn child, he shall pay 10 shekels for her loss.

• If a slave says to his master: “ You’re not my master” if the convict him his master shall cut off his ear

Importance of the Code of Hammurabi

●Hammurabi’s code was one of the first written code of laws in recorded history

●It organized the most civilized empire at the
time

●It represents the great progress of human
civilization

●Influenced future civilization in creating
laws

Jewish 10 Commandments

●It was Created between the
16-13 Century BCE

●According to various passages
in Exodus and Deuteronomy,
were divinely revealed to Moses
on Mount Sinai

●It was created to provide a
moral code for the Israelites,
guiding them to live in a way
that is pleasing to Him

Main features of the 10 Commandments

• ​ Monotheistic - Belief in one god 

• Respect for parents 

• Respecting each others property

• It emphasizes the importance of showing respect and reverence for God's name.

Examples

●Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long in the land that the Lord your God is giving you

●You shall not steal.

●You shall not bear false witness against
your neighbor

●I am the Lord your God, who brought you
out of the land of Egypt, out of the house
of slavery. You shall have no other gods
before me.

Importance of the 10 commandments

●Basis for Moral and Ethical Values: offer
clear guidelines for ethical behavior in
various aspects of life, including worship,
family, and society.

●Family and Community Values

●Legal and Moral Foundation: Served as a
foundation for legal systems and moral
philosophy, contributing to the development
of Western legal and ethical thought.

Open Ended

What do you think is the greatest similarity between Hammurabi’s Code and the Ten Commandments?