1. How they reflected Babylonian values (and our own!)
The Code of Hammurabi
How they reflected Babylonian values
(and our own!)

2. Code of Hammurabi
Person was innocent until proven guilty (if found guilty, harsh punishment)

3. Honesty is #1. If you’re caught lying…harsh punishment.
Code of Hammurabi
Honesty is #1. If you’re caught lying…harsh punishment.

4. Code of Hammurabi Hierarchical
different forms (levels) of punishment—according to social class—for same crimes.

5. Code of Hammurabi
Rights of individuals come second to the good of the group/government (Civil Duty)

6. What’s it got to do with me?
Code of Hammurabi set the standard for all future societies
Legal scholars call it the first great legal document of civilization
Taken from Junior Scholastic, “Laying Down the Law”, September 18, 2006, p

7. Umm…So what? Think of what life would be like without laws
Without traffic laws?
Without food preparation laws?
Think what it would be like with no punishments
What might happen when you get mad?

8. If there were no written down laws…
Life would be different!
People might behave in ways that would cause you harm (physically and emotionally)
Your ‘stuff’ might be destroyed/taken
People with different personalities/talents might have it better (or worse!) than you
Would it be more or less fair than ‘nowadays’? You be the JUDGE! (hee hee)

9. Cause & Effect! Laws = rules + punishment
Rules = tell you how to behave
Punishment = what will happen if you don’t follow the rules

10. Cause & Effect! When rules ARE followed: When rules AREN’T followed:
Everyone’s behavior is predictable and acceptable
life is kept in order
When rules AREN’T followed:
Everyone’s behavior is unpredictable and unacceptable
life is chaotic