Historical Roots of Law Thou shalt not kill Thou shalt not steal

The Evolution of laws through civilizations  B.C.- Great Laws of Manu, Indian laws previously transferred through oral tradition  350 BCE Code of Li k’vei – Chinese laws  BCE The Code of Hammourabi  1380 BCE Mosaic Law  400 BCE Athenian Law  100 CE Roman Law

The Code of Hammurabi Hammurabi, the king of Babylon, codified the rules and penalties for every aspect of Babylonian life from the ownership of property to the rights of adopted children. Hammurabi, the king of Babylon, codified the rules and penalties for every aspect of Babylonian life from the ownership of property to the rights of adopted children. The laws reflected a patriarchal society in which the wealthy were given more protection in law than the poor. The laws reflected a patriarchal society in which the wealthy were given more protection in law than the poor.

Hammurabi ( to be continued) Laws were based on retribution, an eye-for-an-eye type of justice, and distinction was not made between an accident and a deliberate action. Laws were based on retribution, an eye-for-an-eye type of justice, and distinction was not made between an accident and a deliberate action. Some penalties may seem excessive and cruel, however, many of Hammurabi’s laws were reasonable. Some penalties may seem excessive and cruel, however, many of Hammurabi’s laws were reasonable. Restitution, the concept of making a payment to the victim of the crime was common in the event of damage to property or theft. Restitution, the concept of making a payment to the victim of the crime was common in the event of damage to property or theft.

Mosaic Law Mosaic Law, biblical or Hebrew Law,was created on Mount Sinai where God gave laws to Moses for the Hebrew people to follow. Mosaic Law, biblical or Hebrew Law,was created on Mount Sinai where God gave laws to Moses for the Hebrew people to follow. The laws are commonly knows as Ten Commandments. The laws are commonly knows as Ten Commandments.

Ten Commandments Mosaic Law was more concerned with punishing a deliberate action than an accidental act of harm. Mosaic Law was more concerned with punishing a deliberate action than an accidental act of harm. The Ten Commandments were more likely to punish the guilty party than permit to shift punishment to a person of lesser status. The Ten Commandments were more likely to punish the guilty party than permit to shift punishment to a person of lesser status. Care for the poor was another concern expressed in the Mosaic Law. Care for the poor was another concern expressed in the Mosaic Law.

Comparison of Laws Administration of Justice Protection of Property Protection of the Person Code of Hammurabi If a man has borne false witness in a trial, or has not established the statement that he has made,if that case be a capital trial, that man shall be put to death If a man has stolen goods from a temple or a house, he shall be put to death and he that he received the stolen property shall be put to death. If a son has struck his father, his hands shall be cut off. If a man strikes a man’s daughter and brings about a miscarriage, he shall pay for the miscarriage. If that woman dies, his daughter shall be killed. Mosaic Law You shall not utter a false report. You shall not join hands with the wicked, to be a malicious witness. If a man steals an ox or a sheep, and kills it or sells it, he shall pay five oxen for an ox, and four sheep for a sheep Whoever strikes his father or his mother shall be put to death… whoever curses his father or his mother shall be put to death.