Download Great Laws of Manu Code of Li K`vei

David Dickinson
Great Laws of Manu
Indian laws compiled
between 1280 and 880 BC.
Previously they had been
passed by word of mouth.
Code of Li K’vei
Chinese laws written around
350 BC. These laws dealt with
theft, robbery, prison and arrest.
1
Code of Hammurabi
One of the earliest (known) sets of written laws.
It was written by King Hammurabi (1792-1750 BC)
of Babylon to guide the lives of his citizens.
Compliance because of credit to
the gods.
Punishments did not commonly
separate deliberate from
accidental action.
Code of Hammurabi
Laws based on retribution and restitution
Example from code:
If anyone steals cattle or sheep, a pig or
a goat, the thief shall pay tenfold; if the
thief has nothing with which to pay he
shall be put to death.
2
Mosaic Law
Moses received laws from God from the top
of mount Sinai to guide the Hebrew people.
The Ten Commandments form the
beginning of Mosaic Law
The Ten Commandments and other
Mosaic laws are found in the first
five books of the Old Testament
More concern over punishment of
deliberate actions.
Mosaic Law Examples
If a man steals an ox or a sheep,
and kills it or sells it, he shall pay
five oxen for an ox, and four sheep
for a sheep
Whoever strikes his father or his
mother shall be put to death…
whoever curses his father or his
mother shall be put to death.
3
Greek Law
Laws were codified by Draco in 621 BC
Refined by Solon in 594 BC
Political rights attributed to property
owned.
First form of democracy (Not as we know it today)
Voting and jury duty occurred
Largest jury was over 6000 people!
Greek Law
Sentence decided by both
accuser and accused then the
jury would vote.
Only citizens had
democratic and political
rights
Women, children, aliens,
and slaves were not citizens
4
The Trial of Socrates
An ancient Greek philosopher credited for
laying the foundation for western
philosophy .
Socrates was accused of corrupting the
youth of ancient Greece. (Sedition)
He was found guilty by a jury of 501
citizens
He was sentenced to drink Poison
Hemlock (neurotoxin)
Roman Law
Two basic principles of Roman Law
1.  Law must be recorded
2.  Justice not left for just judges to infer meaning.
Laws were Codified
• 
Documented and assembled in a methodical manner.
5
Roman Law
The Twelve Tablets one of the earliest of Roman codes
(450 BC) Considered the foundation for modern law.
The practice of having an advisor became common
during Roman times.
Byzantine Law
After 395 CE The Roman Empire split. One half was
called the Byzantine Empire.
6
Byzantine Law
Emperor Justinian 1st (527-625 AD) had the Roman law
(now 1600 books) refined and clarified.
This body of law was known as Justinian’s Code
Formed the basis of what is now called civil law.
•  Law dealing with personal dealings.
France and Da Napoleonic Code
After the French revolution (1789-1799) Napoleon gained
control over the government of France.
Brought France under a new set of laws called the
Napoleonic Code (1804) or the French Civil Code.
Laws a compromise of Germanic Law
and Justinian’s Code
Dealt with Civil Matters
7