Legal Codes in History How do they compare?

What are the purpose of laws? To protect society To regulate behavior To illustrate religious/moral/ethical behavior To peacefully negotiate relationships between individuals and/or between individuals and the government To punish the wrongdoers

What to do with the docs? Grouping- ( all documents) politically, economically and culturally or by time period or by region Meaning- a basic one sentence understanding of the document ( all of them) POV; evaluate the bias and its purpose for at least 2 ( more is better) Outside Information: What information about the historical context, another time period or theme.Can get two points on rubric for context and information about the document not within the document

Doc #1 Code of Hammurabi Religious and political bias which illustrates both the rigid and harsh punishments of Babylonian society as well as the social divisions and importance of property Purpose? Audience? Can be grouped politically, economically and culturally or by ancient or Middle East Code of Hammurabi was not the first code of laws but was adopted and adapted from previous Mesopotamian laws. Provided some basic legal principles today called the rule of law. Could be argued that it served as the precedent (first of its kind) for other major decisions.

Doc #2 Book of Exodus/10 Commandments Clearly a religious bias written by the Hebrews to illustrate their complicated relationship with a Monotheistic God. Illustrates the moral and ethical behavior their society(ies) should have to regulate behavior Can be grouped in any theme really or by ancient and/or Middle East ( remember, these laws will continue in Roman times when Constantine legalizes Christianity) These laws may have been inspired by the Code of Hammurabi as the Hebrews lived amongst the Mesopotamian peoples. These were just a few of over 613 laws people had to live by and guide and regulate all behaviors.

Document #3 Law of the 12 Tables( Rome) These laws came about due to the protestations of the Plebeians ( lower Roman classes) to enact legal rights for all citizens under the law. It clearly illustrates the role of the father (paterfamilias) and property written by old men ( the Senate) Can be grouped by any theme, by classical periodization or by Rome These legal precedents set the standard for “Western”rule of law including trial by jury, right to confront the person accusing you of a crime as well as the presumption of innocence ( innocent until proven guilty).

Document #4 Laws of Manu These indoctrinated Hindu laws reinforced Hindu norms, values and ethical conduct in accordance with Hinduism’s belief system ( added to Vedic text, Upanishads and Brahmin beliefs). Illustrates the social rigidity, patriarchy and regulates social/caste behavior Can be grouped by religious or social themes ( although regulated politically as well and caste can be considered economic because it was one’s job/Dharmic duties) by India or classical, Although Hinduism existed since the Vedic Age of the ancient world, these findings reinforced the rule of Behavior of Hindus including the important roles of Dharma (caste behavior) and Karma( determination of reincarnation)

Document #5 On the destruction of books ( Chin Dynasty) Illustrates the legalist philosophy of the Chin Dynasty and the doctrine of punishing all dissent ( those who disagree with the state) though burning books, death penalty or forced labor. It projects as a bit paranoid and might identify why its was such a short lived dynasty Grouping could be politically, by China or the early classical age( works well also grouped with Hammurabi’s Code in doc #1 for its punitive nature) The belief that humans were evil and should have strict laws and their swift punishment was the state-sponsored philosophy of Chin Shi Huang Ti. It was what helped him consolidate his empire, standardize weights, measurements and build a great wall. It is also what contributed to peasant rebellions led by Liu Bang and the rise of the Han dynasty.

Document #6 Luke2:1 New Testament A young Christian perspective of the Roman Empire according to the Gospel of Luke as to the taxation of Caesar Augustus and his tax code. Early Christians threatened the Empire ( of Which Jesus was crucified under Augustus’ reign) and believed in a doctrine of humility and poverty and deeply distrusted the greed of government. Can be grouped economically or culturally or by Rome and or in contrast with earlier doctrines ( 10 commandments) The Christian Bible (New Testament) was based on the 4 gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John and discussed the life of Jesus and reinforced ethical and moral parables including the idea of a Messiah ( chosen one to save humanity).

Document #7 Justinian’s Code This Eastern Roman Empire document illustrates how Justinian preserved early Roman law and maintains the importance of slavery and other properties extending Roman Laws. Can be grouped economically or with Rome in the later years after its fall ( the West would become decentralized feudalism whilst the East would remain with its capital in Constantinople) Justinian not only preserved Roman criminal and civil laws but also reinforced Eastern Orthodox Christianity’s belief and declared himself head of the state and faith (ceasaropapism)

Thesis Statement Legal codes from both the ancient and classical world served to maintain law and order to protect the burgeoning populations, regulated business and property between individuals and the government and enacted cultural and ethical values to regulate the increasing populations and keeping them orderly and maintained.