Download Laws: Code of Hammurabi

The author of this PowerPoint is by Hillary
Belen Chua in class 5R. Please enjoy yourselves!
1. Purpose/Some Information I know
2. King Hammurabi
3. Code Of Hammurabi
4. Mesopotamians Needs The Law
5. Helping Us Change The World
6. Some Pictures
7. Bibliography
8. Reflection
9. Q&A (If we have time.)
I want to do this project because I am really curious about the ancient laws of
Mesopotamia and how they use the punishment. But I do know some information
about laws since in English GD, we are learning about the ancient Mesopotamia (now
claims as Iraq). Centuries ago, people started to live in a Fertile Crescent somewhere in
the Middle East. A Fertile Crescent is a place that can grow good crops and the the
land is curved-shape. There were two rivers called the Tigris and Euphrates River
between the land. Later on, the Greeks called the land Mesopotamia, which also mean
“between the rivers” and civilization developed in Mesopotamia!
King Hammurabi was the ruler of Babylonia, and yet created the Code of Hammurabi.
Before we get to the Code of Hammurabi, let me introduce you to this wise king.
Hammurabi was born in the 1790 BCE and passed away in 1750 BCE. Nobody was
sure how he died. Some says he died because of natural causes. King Hammurabi
conquered cities and expanded his empire. Hammurabi got stronger and stronger every
time he conquered a city-state. Because the history is too long ago, so there is
different results, but its around 13 to 14 city-states. The people prayed for him and
thought the gods and goddess gave power to Hammurabi.
The laws seem The Code of Hammurabi was the first laws system created in the Middle
East civilization. The laws were written in stone and was placed in a public location so
everyone can take a look at the 282 laws that the citizens should be obeyed. The laws
might seem cruel by today's standard but Hammurabi created those laws because he
wants everyone to be responsible for their own actions and Hammurabi wanted the
citizens all to be fair. One famous principle for this law: “An eye for an eye, a tooth for
a tooth”. It means that whoever disobey the laws, like killing someone, the person shall
be punished in the same way, which you all might know. And dead was one of the
most basic punishment back then. Some easy examples:
1. If a son slaps his father, his hands shall be cut off.
2. If a person puts out another persons eye, the person would be put out for return.
The law seem to be fair but it distinguish levels off people. So like if June is a
noblewoman and put an eye out of a slave, June shall pay 2 mina of gold to the slave.
The Code Of Hammurabi is so important back then because if they don’t have
laws, they Middle East side will turn into a chaos. Also, law is the most important
topic for the civilization, so if there is NO law in Mesopotamia, then civilization go
down and into the mud. Hammurabi was really wise to create the first law in the
Western civilization. The code also made the place more safe and made life fair,
and the code help keep Mesopotamia in order. The law had made such a great
civilization that today we still use the laws but not to harsh like Hammurabi did.
The code made the citizens think before they act so they won’t do the wrong
thing.
The laws helped us developed great civilization but we do not follow
the rules of the Code of Hammurabi. Because some laws are too
harsh and as I say just now, dead is a common punishment. If
Hammurabi didn’t created laws, the world we survive today would be
a huge chaos! However, if we still used the 282 laws that
Hammurabi created, there will be lots of killing, and not much
freedom. But the laws did help us today so the world will be more
organized and in control.
1.
2.
3.
4.
Code of Hammurabi-Online History Sourcebooks
Code of Hammurabi-LookLex Encyclopedia
Hammurabi’s Code
Hammurabi’s Code-New World Encyclopedia
In this project, I did lots of research of the Code of
Hammurabi and put all my effort into it. I also included
some pictures so the audience can know the paragraph
more clearly and the font is readable. I hope all of you
like my presentation!
Q: How many laws how created in the Code of Hammurabi?
A: 282 laws
Q: What was the principle for the Code of Hammurabi?
A: “An eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth.”
Q: When was Hammurabi born and dead?
A: Born in 1790 BCE and dead in 1750 BCE.
Q: Why do the Mesopotamians needed this law? Please say at least one example.
A: 1) To stop the Middle East be a total chaos place.
2) To keep Mesopotamia in order.
3) The civilization in the Middle East will be gone forever
4) To make there life fair and safe.