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The Code of Hammurabi is a set of laws written down by a king named Hammurabi who ruled in Mesopotamia. The laws were found by archaeologists in 1901. It was created around 1750 B.C. (that's almost 4000 years ago).
The Code of Hammurabi is a set of laws written down by a king named Hammurabi who ruled in Mesopotamia. The laws were found by archaeologists in 1901. It was created around 1750 B.C. (that's almost 4000 years ago).
King Hammurabi had an 8 foot tall stone made. It is like stones in a cemetery but taller. In ancient times this was called a stela. A stela is a stone that honors a person or event or displays important information. On this large stone many laws were written in cuneiform.
King Hammurabi had an 8 foot tall stone made. It is like stones in a cemetery but taller. In ancient times this was called a stela. A stela is a stone that honors a person or event or displays important information. On this large stone many laws were written in cuneiform.
At the top the king was honoring the sun god. Under this carving was 281 laws. The laws were numbered from #1 to #282. However, #13 was left out because they believed 13 was an unlucky number.
At the top the king was honoring the sun god. Under this carving was 281 laws. The laws were numbered from #1 to #282. However, #13 was left out because they believed 13 was an unlucky number.
Hammurabi’s code was very mean. Sayings like “an eye for an eye” and "a tooth for a tooth" are in the laws. This means the same will be done to you for punishment. Personal responsibility was important. The death penalty was often used and was carried out in the Euphrates River. Or they impaled the guilty with a stake or even burned people to death.
Hammurabi’s code was very mean. Sayings like “an eye for an eye” and "a tooth for a tooth" are in the laws. This means the same will be done to you for punishment. Personal responsibility was important. The death penalty was often used and was carried out in the Euphrates River. Or they impaled the guilty with a stake or even burned people to death.
The stone of laws broke into three pieces. Most of it has been put back together but there is still a piece missing. Laws 66 to 99 have never been found. To the right, you can see what it looks like today. For the missing part, they recreated a piece so it could be put together.
The stone of laws broke into three pieces. Most of it has been put back together but there is still a piece missing. Laws 66 to 99 have never been found. To the right, you can see what it looks like today. For the missing part, they recreated a piece so it could be put together.
Some laws covered marriage. Parents set up arranged marriages for their kids - that means they picked who they would marry. The children did not get any say. Some countries in this region will still arrange marriages today. The laws also favored men and women did not have equal rights.
Some laws covered marriage. Parents set up arranged marriages for their kids - that means they picked who they would marry. The children did not get any say. Some countries in this region will still arrange marriages today. The laws also favored men and women did not have equal rights.
Crime was rare in Mesopotamia and people think it was because the punishment was so awful. Although the punishments were harsh, a person was “innocent until proven guilty.” The United States uses this in our Constitution and laws too.
Crime was rare in Mesopotamia and people think it was because the punishment was so awful. Although the punishments were harsh, a person was “innocent until proven guilty.” The United States uses this in our Constitution and laws too.
Today, you can see the Code of Hammurabi at the Louvre (pronounced "Loove") Museum in Paris, France.
Today, you can see the Code of Hammurabi at the Louvre (pronounced "Loove") Museum in Paris, France.
LAWS from “THE CODE OF HAMMURABI”
LAWS from “THE CODE OF HAMMURABI”
If a citizen has committed a robbery that man shall die
If a citizen has committed a robbery that man shall die
If a son hits his father, they shall cut off his hand
If a son hits his father, they shall cut off his hand
If a man knocks out a tooth of another man, they shall knock out his tooth
If a man knocks out a tooth of another man, they shall knock out his tooth
If a man destroys the eye of another man, they shall destroy his eye
If a man destroys the eye of another man, they shall destroy his eye
If a man breaks another man’s bone, they shall break his bone
If a man breaks another man’s bone, they shall break his bone
If a citizen steals from the king, that man shall die, and whoever receives the stolen goods shall die
If a citizen steals from the king, that man shall die, and whoever receives the stolen goods shall die
If anyone says something about another person and cannot prove it, this man shall be taken before judges and his brow shall be marked (cut or burned)
If anyone says something about another person and cannot prove it, this man shall be taken before judges and his brow shall be marked (cut or burned)
This video shows what life was like for women during this time.
This video shows what life was like for women during this time.
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