An Analysis of Hammurabi’s Code of Law Essay

An nub for an snapper makes the whole world blind. This was give tongue to by Gandhi cosmosy years afterward the f all told of the Babylonian empire. Judging by the legal philosophys of the Babylonian throng, there was no perceptive Mahatma Gandhi to spread his thoughts on touchity and forgiveness. though they were an advanced and organized society, the Babylonians were also exceedingly strict, almost cruel, when it came to law making. Revenge, faith in the gods sense of justice, and inequality all make up a portion of the eight-spot foot tall stone digs that we now know as Hammurabis write in code of Law (Horne).Hammurabis overshadow lasted from 1795 until 1750 BC (Horne). Up until Hammurabi took control, there had been no ruler to publicly establish an accurate set of laws. Written in purchase order to regulate the organization of the Babylonian society, this enactment, consisting of twain hundred laws, begins and ends by addressing the gods. Revenge contend a la rge role in the laws, as it was seen as the only(prenominal) instruction to truly be compensated. Almost all of the laws lack a true comment they were simply accepted as handsome justice by the hoi polloi.However, one law in particular does have a reason behind it. If an accused military personnel claims to be clean-handed, he will be thrown into the river. If the universe drowns, he is be to be guilty. However, if he makes it to the opposite beach safely, the accused man is indeed innocent (Hammurabi). This law gives us an important brainstorm into the lives of ancient Babylonian society. Obviously, the people had a strong sense of faith in their gods. By tossing the man into the raging river, the people are putting the accused mans conduct into the hands of the gods. If the man was guilty and lying, the gods would see that tri howevere was give to them, as well as to the village, in the form of death. However, if the accused was indeed innocent, the Babylonians would countenance the man to safely leave the river, whence living. not so unlike our romance systems (with which you must swear on a bible before testifying), the Babylonian people had strong religious convictions that were reflected in their code of laws.An early(a) aspect reflected in Hammurabis Code of Laws was the belief in retaliation. To the ancient Babylonians, revenge wasnt seen as revenge it was seen as fair and just wages for a committed execration. To Hammurabis people, an eye for an eye was not just a say it was a way of life. If he break another(prenominal) mans bone, his bone shall be broken (Hammurabi). The similar(p) was true for putting extinct another mans eye, knocking out someones teeth, and many other bodily injuries between two man (or woman) or the same class. Though these laws attend cruel and inhuman, they were meant to keep crime and violence at a minimum. Getting your subdivision hacked off was probably much more(prenominal) intimidating than a prison destine to the people of Babylonia, hence the laws successfully fulfill their duties the majority of the time.Though the laws were more oftentimes than not effective, they were by no instrument fair. Women were dignified and treated as equals, but all brotherly classes were not. Ancient Babylonia had a hierarchy consisting of three main social classes the amelu, high ranking, rich court officials, patricians, and kings, the muskinu, fetchless and poor, though free, and the ardu, who were the lowest class (Johns). The ardu could link and hold property, but nonetheless they were low-ranking slaves. The laws clear reflected these social classes.Punishments were not the same for contrasting social classes, even if the same crime was committed. For example, if a free-born man strike the be of another free-born man or equal rank, he shall pay one atomic number 79 mina. However, if a slave were to strike the body of a freed man, his ear shall be cauterize off. Even thou gh the exact same crime was committed, the slave would get a harsher punishment than the free, higher-ranking man. Even in ancient Babylonia, power and money take care to have the same value as they do in the present day.Not every aspect of the Babylonian socialisation was perfect. The social classes were strictly divided and people were treated as reasonably as their birth allowed them to be. Vengefulness was accepted and expected, as was the belief in owning slaves. However, the Babylonians, under Hammurabis reign, were also a very admirable tillage. Women were treated as equals they were dignified, respected, and allowed to own land and property. The most important, positive aspect of the Babylonians was for certain Hammurabis Code of Law. As an unchangeable, fairly indestructible written code, it not only influenced other cultures (such as the Syro-Roman and Mahommedan) later in history, but it also gave us a first hand account of what life was like in a culture that wa s lost so many centuries ago.BIBLIOGRAPHYThe Code of Hammurabi by Richard Hineshttp//www.wsu.edu/dee/MESO/CODE.HTMBryant, Tamera (2005). The Life & times of Hammurabi. Bear Mitchell Lane Publishers.Mieroop, Marc (2004). King Hammurabi of Babylon a Biography. Cambridge Blackwell Publishers.