Hammurabi's Code

What should be done to the carpenter who builds a house that falls and kills the owner? (Code 229)

• The builder will marry the owner's wife.

• The builder will lose his license.

• The builder shall be put to death.

• The builder must rebuilt the house at no cost.

What should be done when a "sister of god" (or nun) enters the wine shop for a drink? (Code 110)

• She does not have to pay for the wine.

• She will no longer be a "sister of god."

• She will be told to leave.

• She will be burned.

What happens if a man is unable to pay his debts? (Code 117)

• The man must go to jail for the rest of his life.

• The will sell his wife, son, or daughter, or bind them over to service. For three years they shall work in the houses of their purchaser or master; in the fourth year they shall be given their freedom.

• The man must be sent to work in the fields until his debt is paid.

• The man must die.

What happens to the wine seller who fails to arrest bad characters gathered at his shop? (Code 109)

• The wine seller will be put to death.

• The wine seller will lose his business.

• The wine seller will be shunned and lose all his customers.

• Nothing. It is not the wine seller's job to arrest townspeople.

What should be done about a wife who ignores her duties and belittles her husband? (Code 143)

• She will be confined to the house.

• Her husband may marry another woman.

• She will be thrown in the water.

• She will be sent back to her family.

What should be done if a son is adopted and then the birth-parents want him back? (Code 185)

• The birthparents get their son back.

• The baby will be cut in half.

• The birthparents may not have their son back.

• The son may choose which parents to live with.

What should happen to a boy who slaps his father? (Code 195)

• The son will be killed.

• If a son strike his father, his hands shall be cut off.

• The son will be cast out of his home.

• The son must apologize.

How is the truth determined when one man brings an accusation against another? (Code 2)

• The accused goes to the river. If he sinks, the accuser gets his house. If the accused survives, then the accuser is put to death and the accused gets his house.

• The object is cut in half.

• They are both killed.

• They both lose their homes.

What happens if a man is robbed and the robber is NOT captured? (Code 23)

• Nothing can happen until the robber is caught.

• For one day, the man may steal anything he wants.

• The man makes a list and the city or governor has to pay him back.

• The city will loan the man the items he needs.

What happens if a man accuses another man of murder, but he can't prove it? (Code 1)

• He is put to death.

• He must leave the city-state.

• He will lose his home.

• He must give his son to the man he accused.