1. Hammurabi’s Code
The oldest set of laws

2. Who is Hammurabi? Lived 1792 B.C.E. King of Babylon Came from Syria
Ruled Babylon for 43 years
Conquered Mesopotamia including Ur
Wanted to control his empire by promoting harmony and obedience
Used existing laws from each city-state, and combined them into a single legal code

3. 1.People were punished for breaking rules not just because the ruler wants to punish them.

4. 2. Laws did not disagree with each other.

5. 3. Hammurabi’s code isn’t the first set of laws but they are the oldest that we have because they were carved into stone.
They could last a long time.

6. 4. He tried to cover all important matters to his people.
What laws did they need to help solve their problems?

7. They had problems with:
Irrigation Property Marriage
Family Crime Work
Slavery Religion Military

8. Laws
282 laws
Carved on an 8-foot stone slab (stela/stele) at the entrance to the city
Everyone who comes into the city is under the laws
Hammurabi’s picture is on the top
Shamash, the sun god, is with him
Were written as conditions, if you do something, then this will happen to you
Everyone knew in advance what the expectations were

9. The laws were guided by:
The saying, “an eye for an eye”
Justice is visible in the land
Destroying evil people
The strong may not injure the weak
You are innocent until proven guilty
Honesty is valued and if you lie you get a severe punishment
Different classes of people did not receive the same consequences

10. Judges Judges are assigned in each city
Judges could ask townspeople to hear the case and help decide the verdict (what happens)
Judge asked for the facts to be presented in the case
Judge could ask witnesses to come and tell their stories