An Analysis of Hammurabi’s Code of Law Essay

An nitty-gritty for an eye makes the whole world blind. This was said by Gandhi bity age after the fall of the Babylonian empire. Judging by the laws of the Babylonian the great unwashed, on that point was no insightful Mahatma Gandhi to spread his thoughts on equality and forgiveness. Though they were an advance and organized society, the Babylonians were the likewise extremely strict, almost cruel, when it came to law making. Revenge, faith in the gods sniff out of justice, and inequality all made up a circumstances of the eight foot tall st sensation tablet that we now spot as Hammurabis reckon of Law (Horne).Hammurabis reign lasted from 1795 until 1750 BC (Horne). Up until Hammurabi took control, there had been no ruler to publicly establish an complete set of laws. Written in order to regulate the organization of the Babylonian society, this code, consisting of two hundred laws, begins and ends by addressing the gods. Revenge played a galactic role in the laws, as i t was seen as the only way to sincerely yours be compensated. Almost all of the laws lack a true story they were simply accepted as fair justice by the bulk.However, one law in particular does have a reason base it. If an accused world claims to be innocent, he will be impel into the river. If the earth drowns, he is proven to be guilty. However, if he makes it to the opposite confide safely, the accused part is indeed innocent (Hammurabi). This law gives us an great insight 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 argon put the accused mans life into the hands of the gods. If the man was guilty and lying, the gods would see that tribute was paid to them, as well as to the village, in the form of death. However, if the accused was indeed innocent, the Babylonians would allow the man to safely leave the river, hence living. Not so unlike our court syst ems (with which you moldiness swear on a bible before testifying), the Babylonian people had strong religious convictions that were reflected in their code of laws.Another aspect reflected in Hammurabis Code of Laws was the belief in revenge. To the ancient Babylonians, revenge wasnt seen as revenge it was seen as fair and just compensation for a committed offensive activity. To Hammurabispeople, an eye for an eye was not just a say it was a way of life. If he break another mans bone, his bone shall be broken (Hammurabi). The same was true for putting out another mans eye, knocking out somebodys teeth, and many other bodily injuries between two man (or woman) or the same class. Though these laws seem cruel and inhuman, they were meant to keep crime and violence at a minimum. Getting your arm hacked off was plausibly much more intimidating than a prison sentence to the people of Babylonia, hence the laws successfully fulfilled their duties the majority of the time.Though the laws were more frequently than not effective, they were by no means fair. Women were dignified and treated as equals, but all social classes were not. Ancient Babylonia had a hierarchy consisting of 3 main social classes the amelu, high ranking, rich court officials, patricians, and kings, the muskinu, landless and poor, though free, and the ardu, who were the lowest class (Johns). The ardu could marry and hold property, but nonetheless they were low-ranking slaves. The laws intelligibly reflected these social classes.Punishments were not the same for different social classes, even if the same crime was committed. For example, if a free-born man strike the body of another free-born man or equal rank, he shall pay one gold mina. However, if a slave were to strike the body of a freed man, his ear shall be fell off. Even though the exact same crime was committed, the slave would bilk a harsher punishment than the free, higher-ranking man. Even in ancient Babylonia, force out and mone y seem to have the same value as they do in the present day.Not every aspect of the Babylonian farming was perfect. The social classes were strictly divided and people were treated as fairly 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 culture. 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 sure 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 aculture that was 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.