Code of Hammurabi Explained | Daily Bellringer
Code of Hammurabi: An Overview
Introduction to the Code
- The video introduces the Code of Hammurabi, emphasizing its historical significance and inviting viewers to subscribe for more resources.
Harsh Laws and Their Context
- The Code contains severe laws, including death penalties for murder accusations without proof and theft from temples. These reflect the strict legal framework established around 1750 BC during King Hammurabi's reign in Babylon.
Historical Significance
- The Code is one of the earliest written legal documents, influencing modern law. It was inscribed on a black stone stele nearly seven and a half feet tall, showcasing Hammurabi's authority.
Structure of the Code
- The code begins with a prologue detailing Hammurabi's achievements and is divided into three sections: procedural laws, property laws, and individual rights. Each law follows an "if...then..." format.
Notable Laws and Principles
- Examples include harsh penalties like paying back 30 times the value for theft or extreme consequences for builders whose structures cause fatalities. The principle of "an eye for an eye" exemplifies retributive justice.
Social Hierarchy in Law
- While some protections were afforded to women, there were significant disparities in rights based on social class—property owners faced different punishments compared to free citizens or enslaved individuals.
Conclusion and Legacy
- The code aimed to prevent oppression by establishing fair wages and prices while concluding with a statement about just decisions made by Hammurabi. Its rediscovery in 1901 highlighted its importance in legal history.
Modern Relevance
- Despite its harshness, the Code is recognized as foundational in law development; it influences contemporary legal systems, evidenced by tributes in places like the U.S. Supreme Court building.