1. APWH: Code of Hammurabi SWBAT: Draw conclusions about Babylonian (in Mesopotamia) society from the Code of Hammurabi.

2. Questions to consider: 1) How was justice “served” before the rise of civilization? 2) Why did the rise of civilization necessitate law codes? 3) What can we learn about a society from its’ laws? (What about Mesopotamia in particular?) 4) Do you think the Code of Hammurabi is too harsh? If so, why do you think it was so harsh?

3. Questions to consider: (Responses) 1) How was justice “served” before the rise of civilization? – Man vs/ man. With civs, now state serves justice/violence – 2) Why did the rise of civilization necessitate law codes? – Large populations, elites depend on the obedience of the lower classes, keep order, follow religion 3) What can we learn about a society from its’ laws? (What about Mesopotamia in particular?) Laws illustrate: Society’s morals, religious beliefs, family mores, what crimes were a problem, issues related to economics and social class 4) Do you think the Code of Hammurabi is too harsh? If so, why do you think it was so harsh? King wanted to unify independent city-states. Hostile invasions (incl that of Hammurabi) were a continuous problem.

4. Are there any elements of current legal practice (U.S.) that are also mentioned in the Code? 1) False accusation (false testimony) defamation of character, (today it requires the accused to prove that a false statement was made, the statement was conveyed to a third party and that statement caused harm) 2) Murder (more so involuntary manslaughter) 3) negligence (companies held accountable if there’s poison in food, oil spill/ ex. BP) 4) debt (“garnish wages” they can take debt owed out of your paycheck today) 5) malpractice 6) divorce (alimony or maintenance)

5. How does the quote below illustrate patriarchy? “If any one fails to meet a claim for debt, and sell himself, his wife, his son, and daughter for money or gives them away to forced labor: they shall work for three years in the house of the man who bought them, or the proprietor, and in the fourth year they shall be set free.” What other laws illustrate patriarchy in the Code of Hammurabi?