Importance Of Hammurabi

Shaniel Castillo
Professor Wendy Chase
WOH 1012
17 October 2013
Hammurabi’s Codes Importance and Everyday Life in Babylon

An eye for an eye is a common expression used throughput various Americans today. As we talk upon the deal in which we are about to propose to one another, or even in the making of a life changing agreement, do we really know where this phrase actually deprived from ? The phrase 'An eye for an eye,” is the first law within the set of the Hammurabi code. The Hammurabi code was a set of two hundred eighty two laws that were based upon everyone having equal treatment made by Hammurabi himself who inherited the power from his father, Sin-Muballit, in one thousand seven hundred ninety two BC.. Hammurabi believed that…show more content…
During Hammurabi's time as king, he would oversee a great expansion of his kingdom from a city-state to an empire. The Ancient times, Babylonians have lived under the assumption that the gods could do and would do anything they wanted to the humans. That is why Hammarabi's codes were classified as the most important because he was the first person to ever to write down a set number of laws.At this time many citizens were illiterate, which made it difficult for them to understand Hammurabi's codes, which was carved upon a black stone monument, eight feet high, and clearly intended to be reared in public view. It was said that Hammurabi's attempt was to cover all possible legal situations, yet this statement was false. In its epilogue, Hammurabi describes the code as the "laws of Justice" which intended to clarify the rights of any "oppressed man." Although Much of the code is drawn from earlier Sumerian and Semitic laws, which provided the basis for its harshly punitive nature, everyone in society, would know their role and what is allowed and what isn't allowed. This was very uncommon in this era for many individuals had never been disciplined to follow exact rules. Hammurabi believe that with this, fewer crimes would be committed. The grim punishments toke no excuses or explanations, yet…show more content…
N.p., n.d. Web. 15 Oct. 2013. <http://library.thinkquest.org/J002807/Time%20and%20Time%20Again/Time%20and%20Time%20Again/mesoBabylon>.
Edgar, Robert R., et al. 1 to 1650. Tweflth ed. N.p.: Edgar Robert, 2008. Print. Vol. 1 of Civilizations Past and Present. Pearson Education. Fordham University. Charles F. Horne, 1998. Web. 15 Oct. 2013. <http://www.fordham.edu/halsall/ancient/hamcode.asp>. The History Guide. Yale University Law School, n.d. Web. 15 Oct. 2013.