by Chef Eric J. Means

Created on: January 19, 2009

Let us examine the importance of Hammurabi's Code. Hammurabi was one of the first Kings to have a documented form of judicial law. Hammurabi. "The sixth king of the first dynasty of Babylonia (1792-1750 BC). ( A Dictionary of World History 2008). Hammurabi's code encompassed many facets of law that are still present in today's interpretation of justice, most notably, personal property, labor, family relations, personal injury and business law.

The original document was a Column that had Hammurabi's code carved in Cuneiform with an astounding 3,600 lines. This code included a prologue, 282 laws and an epilogue. The original document is not only of great historical value (do to its content), but also a window into the daily life of the Babylonians and how their society was organized.

Hammurabi was a pious man that believed that he had been chosen (by his GOD) to govern and oversee his people and stop the evil doers. After conquering a town, city or village he would post the laws for all to see. It is believed, that Hammurabi was a fair and just man given his propensity for order, as well as a clearly defined sense of right and wrong.

It is apparent after reading the entire (translated) document that Hammurabi spent a great deal of time deciding what rules where necessary to impose order and remain inline with his religion. It is interesting that these laws are a form of protection to the citizens as well as the governing authority. The sheer complexity and unwavering attention to detail are evidence that Hammurabi's ideas to create sustainable society where to say the least innovative for his time. Not all of the laws where Hammurabi's personal ideas. A good example of this is the harsher eye for an eye rules. These rules may be originally attributed to Semitic and Sumerian edict, from an earlier date. Despite the harsh penalties for certain crimes it is important to realize that at the time this was standard practice; it may also be said, that these laws set a limitation on punishment. The fact that these aggressive penalties where not his own does not nullify the importance of his code.

I find # 23 to be of particular interest. "If the robber is not caught, then shall he who was robbed claim under oath the amount of his loss; then shall the community, andon whose ground and territory and in whose domain it was compensate him for the goods stolen". (Hammurabi's Code as translated by L.W. King). There are a couple of interesting facets to this law. First, it sets

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