Hammurabi's Code

Hammurabi's Code




What is Hammurabi's code? Why did he make these laws? These are the questions that we wonder. When Hammurabi was on the throne Babylonia was making great progress. Agriculture and trade was very strong. On the Euphrates river the capital city of Babylonia became a trade center. Babylonia went to Syria and other places in the south to trade with other cities, for example grain for cloth, or wood for furniture and ships. They also returned with gold, silver, gems, and livestock. The good trade market made the economy grow. The Economy had a big group of crafts people, metal workers, carpenters, leather workers, and even jewelry makers. Ornaments were needed in special temples and other places in Babylonia.

Kings, high priests, wealthy families, and even some government officials had very nice homes and wore the best clothes. Mearchants and craft workers lived in twisted streets and rows, usually 7 rooms and a court yard. Slaves were the lowest, but if they finished all the duties that there master has given them then they can go to other places and work. They were also allowed to own properties and money. Hammurabi said that he was told by the gods to write down laws, to make the city stronger and bring justice. He wrote 280 laws for different things like, trade, wages, farmer labors, penalties for destroying property or selling, renting, family, for example marrige and divorce, and even selling slaves. Some of these laws I think are fair but others I feel are a bit unfair. Some things I think are a bit to over the top for example the law: If a son strikes his father, his hand may be cut off. I think this law might be to harsh. Where as other laws you can see why the consequences would be that for example: If a wife's poor behavior publicly disgraces her husband, he can be rid of her with no penalty to himself. However, he must first prove his claim in court. Once his claim is recognized, he can either divorce her or marry another woman, reducing the status of his first wife to that of household slave girl. So this is Hammurabi's code and this is why he has made these laws.