Difference between revisions of "16. The function of written law in ancient Babylon?"
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| − | In ancient Babylon, written law functioned as a set of rules to live by and | + | In ancient Babylon, written law functioned as a set of rules to live by and determined punishments for crimes. Hammurabi's Code, a collection of 282 laws inscribed on a stone pillar, marks the earliest-known example of a ruler proclaiming publicly to his people an entire body of laws, arranged in orderly groups. The code regulates the organization of society. Sumerian law, as represented in Hammurabi's code, was a law of exact revenge, called lex talionis. The saying "an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth" stems from this. Sumerian law recognized class distinctions: everyone was not equal under Sumerian law. The Old Babylonians, or Amorites, allowed the state to more actively pursue and punish criminals. These punishments became much harsher, as the death penalty was applied to many more crimes. |
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Revision as of 19:33, 3 February 2016
Back to '''History 8 Mesopotamia Questions''
In ancient Babylon, written law functioned as a set of rules to live by and determined punishments for crimes. Hammurabi's Code, a collection of 282 laws inscribed on a stone pillar, marks the earliest-known example of a ruler proclaiming publicly to his people an entire body of laws, arranged in orderly groups. The code regulates the organization of society. Sumerian law, as represented in Hammurabi's code, was a law of exact revenge, called lex talionis. The saying "an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth" stems from this. Sumerian law recognized class distinctions: everyone was not equal under Sumerian law. The Old Babylonians, or Amorites, allowed the state to more actively pursue and punish criminals. These punishments became much harsher, as the death penalty was applied to many more crimes.
http://hammurabiscode2014.weebly.com/bibliography.html
Sources
Manual pg 90
http://legacy.fordham.edu/halsall/ancient/hamcode.asp
http://www2.sjs.org/beniretto/Mesopotamia/textcomputerexercise.html#Sumerians
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Calista Smith
