#code of Hammurabi

[facts-i-just-made-up]

Ancient Law Unearthed From 5000 BC

Though the Code of Hammurabi is often cited as the first legal text, a much older stele dating to 5750 BC is thought to have held an earlier code of law, specifically dealing with mineral sales and metals of the proto-bronze age. The stele only has one law remaining intact but may have held over 20 total.

Unearthed from an ancient tin mine in Serbia, the Stele of Cassander The Nameless is a solid granite block measuring about 3 meters tall, engraved with Ancient Macedonian letters and mostly broken apart by time and mining activity.

Most of the laws on the stele are unreadable, but law 7 is fully intact and details the ownership rights of tin ingots, stating that it was not the miner nor the owner of the mine who had the right to sell the tin, but rather whoever participated in the smelting and reduction into the metal's pure form. Because of the past tense writing of ancient Hellenistic dialects, the first law recorded in human civilization translates exactly to, "He who smelt it dealt it."

[inspofromancientworld]

Code of Hammurabi

By Mbzt - Own work, CC BY 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=16931676

The Code of Hammurabi was written between 1755-1850 BCE in Akkadian and inscribed on a basalt stele, or stone pillar, that is 2.25m (7' 4.5") tall. It was rediscovered in 1901 in Susa, Iran, was taken as plunder, and now is in the Louvre Museum in Paris France. It is the longest, most organized, and best preserved legal code of the ancient Near East. It is not the oldest, though. That title goes to the Code of Ur-Nammu, which was written around 2100-2050 BCE and was still being copied when Hammurabi's code was written. There did seem to be a change in focus, though, from compensation in the Code of Ur-Nammu to punishment in the Code of Hammurabi.

By Mbzt - Own work, CC BY 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=59794940

The top of the stele has an image of Hammurabi and Shamash, the Babylonian god of the sun and justice, on it. The figure on the left is standing, facing the other with one hand raised and the other held across the waist with fabric draped over his arm. The other is seated, wearing a multilayered skirt, holding a rod and ring in one hand, seemingly offering or accepting it, with what might be the back of the chair or rays coming from behind his shoulders. Whether the standing figure is Hammurabi or Shamash is up for debate. The Rod and ring are thought to be measuring tools or emblems of kingship.

By Deror avi - Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=6042133

In total, there are 4130 lines of text on the stele. The first 300 go through Hammurabi's royal authority based on his family line and being chosen by Marduk, the patron deity of Babylon, and other gods conferred on him. He then enumerates his many qualities as king, including being 'pious' repeatedly. The last lines of the introduction state that the the writing of the Code was to fulfill Marduk's request to 'establish "truth and justice"…for the people'.

The next 3330 lines enumerate the laws of the Code. These lines cover approximately 282 laws covering a wide range of topics from offenses against the law such as leveling false charges through to property law, trade law to family law, as well as labor laws. It isn't, however, a complete codex of the laws of the land as it misses laws relating to shepherds though it covers laws relating to cattle herders. The laws are also written in an 'if…then…' format, lacking any generalized laws as well as covering some extremely unlikely events, like using goats (very unruly animals) to thresh grain. It also apparently wasn't used very much by judges at the time based on the fact that no legal documentation that we have references it. The closest is two references to 'a stele', but many judgments cite royal decrees, and many judgments run counter to the Code.

Some think that the Code isn't an actual list of laws, but an example of how judgments should be formulated, that it was meant to be a work of scholarship. Supporting this is that the laws come in pairs, such as one that says a physician should be paid if they perform a service that heals while they should be punished if the treatment causes death or blindness. Laws also differed based on the offender and the victim. There were three levels of people listed, awīlum, muškēnum, and wardum (male)/amtum (female). Wardum and amtum are the slave class. The other two are uncertain, but most likely 'gentleman' and 'commoner' respectively. There were also nuances within the classes themselves, based on laws that reference one being higher than another.

The final 500 lines reiterate that Hammurabi established the law, that the law should be read aloud to anyone who wrongheadedly brings a lawsuit, and a wish for good fortune on those that follow the laws and the wrath of the gods on those who ignore it. Twelve gods are invoked to punish those who don't acknowledge or adhere to the Code.

[thepastisalreadywritten]

TODAY IN HISTORY

10 August 1793

The Louvre opened in Paris, eventually becoming the most visited museum in the world.

Check out the most famous works in the Louvre below! 👇🏼🧵

The Code of Hammurabi — 1750 BC

Venus de Milo — 2nd century BC

Winged Victory of Samothrace — 190 BC

Liberty Leading the People — 1830

The Raft of the Medusa — 1819

The Coronation of Napoleon — 1807

Psyche Revived by Cupid's Kiss — 1793

(L): The Seated Scribe — 2500 BC

(R): The Great Sphinx of Tanis — 2600 BC

Mona Lisa — between 1503 and 1506

[polyglotabc]

Unearthing Ancient Civilizations

The Importance of Over 30,000 Preserved Cuneiform Writings Deciphering a Lost Language Insights into Daily Life and Culture The Epic of Gilgamesh Technological and Scientific Advances Religious and Mythological Texts The Role of Cuneiform in Modern Research Challenges in Preservation and Interpretation Enhancing Accessibility and Understanding Book Recommendations Online Resources and…

[empirearchives]

I was reading a book about Ancient Mesopotamia, and came across this mention of the Napoleonic Code:

Over the centuries the law continued to grow, adapting to the changing needs of society as it progressed, from the Napoleonic Code of 1804, which legalized the reforms of the French Revolution

Source: Samuel Noah Kramer, Cradle of Civilization

The book is about what is believed to be the first civilization, and how it’s own developments (writing, urbanization, law, trade, etc) have impacted and laid the foundation for societies to this day. Really amazing to see how history is all connected.

[petermorwood]

A nearby tablet shows the Post-Code of Hammurabi, which was established so that senders of complaints could be sure their tablets went to the right place.

Archaeologists have confirmed that cheaper shipments were made without resorting to the Post-Code, however this led to errors which commonly involved the towns of Ah and Um rather than the city of Ur.

The Post-Code tablet shows the slightly increased but guaranteed-delivery charges laid down after consultation with the priests of Markdup.

Shoutout to the time my partner and I got so excited to see Ea-Nasir's hate mail in person that we failed to notice the Code of Hammurabi next to it

[aguilarmia]

MODERN HISTORY

3. The Code of Hammurabi (1792-1750 BC)

The Code of Hammurabi was a set of laws promulgated by King Hammurabi of Babylon in the 18th century BC. C., this contains a series of provisions related to water conservation. These provisions are important to contemporary water conservation issues because they provide an early model for how governments can promote sustainable use of this vital resource.

The Code of Hammurabi was promulgated at a time when the Mesopotamian civilization was experiencing demographic and economic growth. This led to increased demand for water, straining the region's water resources. Hammurabi's code addressed this challenge by enacting a series of laws intended to protect water sources and promote efficient water use.

The key figures involved in the promulgation of the Code of Hammurabi were King Hammurabi and his council of advisors. Hammurabi, a wise and powerful ruler, was determined to create a code of laws that would help ensure the prosperity of his kingdom. His advisory board included experts in law, religion and economics. These advisors helped Hammurabi develop a code of laws that was just, equitable, and effective.

Key actions taken to promote water conservation in the Code of Hammurabi include:

• The prohibition of contaminating water sources. "Whoever pollutes a river or a canal and thus causes the death of a man will be sentenced to death."

- Code of Hammurabi, Article 245

Hammurabi's code stated that anyone who contaminated a water source would be sentenced to death.

• Regulation of water use. Hammurabi's code established rules for water use, such as the amount of water that could be drawn from a well and the time of day when water could be drawn.

• The promotion of efficient use of water. Hammurabi's code encouraged people to use water efficiently, such as fixing leaks and using efficient irrigation systems.

Ex:

The main cause of the regulation of water conservation in the Code of Hammurabi was the scarcity of this resource in the Mesopotamian region. The region is located in an arid area, with little rainfall. The Tigris and Euphrates rivers, which flow through the region, were the main source of water for irrigation, agriculture and human consumption.

As a consequence of the regulations, standards were established for the construction and maintenance of irrigation canals, as well as for the distribution of water among different users. In addition, severe penalties were established for wasting water, such as death or loss of property.

In this way, Hammurabi's Code had a significant impact on water conservation practices and policies in ancient Mesopotamia. Code provisions helped protect water sources and promote efficient water use. This helped ensure that there was enough water to meet the needs of the region's population and economy.

Contemporary water conservation challenges are similar to those faced by the ancient Mesopotamians. Population growth and climate change are putting the world's water resources to the test. The lessons of Hammurabi's Code are relevant today as they provide a guiding model for how governments can promote sustainable water use.

In conclusion, the Code of Hammurabi is an important historical document that reflects the ancient Babylonians' concern for water conservation. Its provisions and principles remain relevant today, as they remind us of the importance of protecting this vital resource at a time when water scarcity is a global problem.

[eibeeseedee]

I wanna ask the other writers in Writeblr, specifically those who write powers and super powers and stuff.

How would you work The Code of Hammurabi as a power? In all kinds of genre.

How would it work in a superhero or a fantasy setting?

I'd love to see your interpretations, here's two of mine.

The bearer of the power allows them to impose laws or rather, rules that must be followed. Those who are around are to follow it unconditionally, even if it's not in their knowledge.

Ex: Imagine eating in a restaurant, then suddenly you and those around you can't use their left hand, because the bearer imposed the wacky rule that "right hands are the only things to be used when eating."

Or

The Code of Hammurabi is an actual book, that is sentient. It gives the bearer rules daily that need to be followed for the whole day, or else they will be punished. This ranges from ridiculous to exhausting rules, like "each sentence must have 17 syllables" or "Walk with a quad-cane" or " use only your thumbs." The Code will give rewards, depending on how well they followed the rule. Ranging to permanent changes to the body like losing body weight, or gaining an extra height, or something disturbing such as gaining the temporary ability to impose a law or two to someone that they have to follow for the day, week, month, year, or lifetime, depending on the bearer's performance. It will also give the bearer sudden rules, to challenge and torment the bearer, but they'll be able to receive a pleasure or a reward, very much fitting for the challenge.

[allisongreenlee]

Ancient Babylonia: Exploring Literature, Law, and Justice

“The living need the truth, before rumor pollutes it.”― Mary Renault, Funeral Games The city of Babylon is one of the oldest and most important cities in Mesopotamia, which is now modern-day Iraq. It was founded over 4,000 years ago, and over the centuries, it became a cultural, economic and political center for the region. Babylon was the capital of the Babylonian Empire, which was ruled by…

[primaeros]

✨🦁✨ 🥴💦

[beardedmrbean]

[aesthetinkie]

"An Eye for and Eye, a Tooth for a Tooth."

I have been dying to draw Billford in the Code of Hammurabi because of my history of graphic design class. Chat how do we feel about this?

[friedmagazinebouquet]

My original reaction to Poseidon's bit where he says "I'll take your son and gouge his eyes" etc etc was along the lines of "that seems a bit unnecessary, what did Telemachus do" and then I went wait, that was exactly what Odysseus did

It took me a bit too long to realize that that line was essentially implying Poseidon returning the favour, an eye for an eye

[character-of-all-time]

ROUND 2: SPOCK (star trek) VS HAMMURABI (real)

[infodumpmedaddy]

"A man's gotta have a code"

- Hammurabi, probably

[quotelr]

Creationists have also changed their name ... to intelligent design theorists who study 'irreducible complexity' and the 'abrupt appearance' of life—yet more jargon for 'God did it.' ... Notice that they have no interest in replacing evolution with native American creation myths or including the Code of Hammurabi alongside the posting of the Ten Commandments in public schools.

Michael Shermer