Download Hammurabi`s Codes - MHS

Roots of Civilization
Hammurabi’s Codes
Joshi/Fetko
Name:________________________ Date:__________
Period:_____
From nearly 4000 years ago, the law codes of King Hammurabi (of Babylon) offer an
early view of justice from a civilization in Mesopotamia. Here are just some of the
hundreds of codes:
Next to each law, write a number for how fair you think it is:
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
Very Unfair
Somewhat Fair
Very Fair
After you rate the law- Explain WHY you did so.
10
Code #1.____
If a man accuses another man of murder but cannot show enough evidence to convict that man,
then the accuser will be put to death. If there is enough evidence to convict then the accused will
be put to death.
Explain:
Code #4.____
If a man offers false testimony in court concerning grain or money, he shall himself bear the
penalty imposed in that case.
Explain:
Code #5.____
If a judge tries a case, reaches a decision, and presents his judgment in writing and then it is later
found out that the decision was in error (and it was his fault), then he shall pay twelve times the
fine set by him in the case, and he shall be fired.
Explain:
Code #8. ____
If any one steals cattle, sheep, donkey, pig or goat, and if it belongs to a nobleman or to the royal
court, the thief shall pay thirty-fold; if the animal belonged to a freed man, he shall pay tenfold;
if the thief has nothing with which to pay he shall be put to death.
Explain:
Code #23.____
If a man is robbed and if the robber is not captured, and the man who has been robbed establishes
the amount of his loss under oath, then the city shall pay him what the item was worth.
Explain:
Code #48.____
If a farmer takes out a loan, and a storm or flood ruins the grain or if the harvest fails, or the
grain does not grow for lack of water then the farmer does not have to pay interest to his lender
for the year. Plus, he doesn’t have to pay his landlord for the year.
Explain:
Code #129.____
If the wife of a man is found in the bed of another man, they shall bind them and throw them into
the river. The husband of the woman can spare the life of his wife and the king can spare the life
of his anyone.
Explain:
Code #134.____
If a man is captured in war and there is nothing to eat in his house, then his wife is blameless if
she leaves to live with another man.
Explain:
Code #135.____
If a man is captured in war and his wife lives with another man and has children with this new
man, and if her husband returns from war, then she must return to her husband but the children
shall stay with their father.
Explain:
Code #137.____
If a man wishes to separate from a woman/wife who has borne him children, then the children
shall live with their mother. He shall give that woman/wife her dowry (the money she came into
the marriage with from her father), and a part of the field, garden, and property, so that she can
rear her children. When her children are grown, the property will be divided to the children and
the wife will get a share equal to one of the sons. Only then, may she marry again.
Explain:
Code #138.____
If a man wishes to separate from his wife who has borne him no children, he shall give her the
amount of her purchase money and the dowry which she brought from her father's house, and let
her go back to her family.
Explain:
Code #154.____
If a man be guilty of incest with his daughter, he shall be exiled from the city.
Explain:
Code #157.____
If a son be guilty of incest with his mother, both shall be burned.
Explain:
Code #196.____
If a man puts out the eye of another man, his eye shall be put out.
Explain:
Code #197.____
If he breaks another man’s bone, his bone shall be broken.
Explain:
Code #199.____
If he puts out the eye of a man’s slave, or breaks the bone of a man’s slave, he shall pay one-half
of his value.
Explain:
Roots of Civilization
Name:_______________________
Hammurabi's Code Questions
Date:______________
Joshi/Fetko
Per.____
After rating each of the Codes answer the following questions.
1. If all these laws were followed, what kind of a social order would they
create? Please use at least three adjectives (describing words) in your
explanation of this society.
2. Would you like to live in this kind of society? Explain why or why not.
3. List the numbers of any of the Hammurabi’s codes which you would want us to have
today. Choose ONE to explain why you want it.
4. Looking at the laws that you thought were most fair (you gave an 8, 9, or 10). What, if
anything, is in common?
5. Looking at the laws that you though were the least fair (you gave a 1, 2, or 3). What, if
anything, is in common?
6. Based on your answers for questions 4 and 5 what conditions do you think makes a fair
law? Explain.
7. Do men or women have more rights in this society? Why do you think this might this be
the case?
8. What evidence do you see that men of different social classes live under different rules?
9. Are there any laws from the Code of Hammurabi that are similar to laws we have today?
(List their numbers and explain.)
10. Based on these laws, what would you say were the Babylonian peoples’ values? What
were these laws supposed to protect? (List at least 3 values)
11. Although our punishments may be different, are there any Babylonian values that are
similar to American values? Are there any values that are different? Explain. (Note: This
is different from Question 9)
12. Do you think that Hammurabi’s Laws were effective in keeping Social Order? Explain
why or why not.