Analysis Of Hammurabi's Code

Law codes in history are not simply about a lawgiver protecting an image of authority, but it involves the idea of what people in society hold important. Hammurabi’s code is an example of this idea. It provides information that if a man knocks out a tooth of another man, he must pay the loss for that tooth. Now, why is this important? This example demonstrates that the action is part of the culture in Babylonia during that time. A man was to compensate for what they did wrong (like knocking out a tooth). There are other codes that further explores this idea. In fact, Siete Partidas introduces the idea about how Christians treated Jews and vice versa. It also describes how women were treated. Siete Partidas is not alone. Roman law codes demonstrate …show more content…
Consider this quote, “If a wife of a man is taken in lying with another man, they shall bind them and throw them into the water”. In this instance, the husband would be allowed to throw his wife and the man (she cheated with) in the river. Now Hammurabi’s code is just not all about relations between partners. It involves the idea for justice. Part one of the code mentions that a man has the right to accuse a man with murder. If that man is found guilty then he would be put to death. This same idea goes for a man being found as a sorcerer. There seems to be an idea that this particular code is trying to keep a balance between right and wrong, meaning that there seems to be no individual claiming absolute authority. Hammurabi by writing this code illustrates that he intended to keep people in order. To do what is right in other words. He gives a chance for fair treatment for men. Women have some rights, but it is clear that men are more important. The word man is mentioned throughout the code. Yet, the most important idea of the code is to establish justice. If a man knocks a tooth of a common man than the man is to pay one-third mana of silver. Why is this important? This is important because the man is paying for the tooth that is now missing. Their type of justice includes that of restoring an item that is lost. In this case, the tooth. This is not the only example. Another …show more content…
Christians are allowed to celebrate Good Friday. Jewish people are not allowed to be out of their homes during this time. They are to be shut away in their homes and are prohibited from interrupting daily festivities. This does not mean that Jewish people were mistreated, but it was a way to show respect to Christians. Jewish people did have the opportunity to enjoy their days of worshipping God. They according to Siete Partidas were to have a day off. No one was allowed to summon the Jewish people on Saturday. This includes the courts. Siete Partidas states that Jewish people “are obliged by their religion to keep it’, proving the fact they wanted to protect their idea of religion. The only problem with this part of the code is that the Jewish people were to remain shut up in their homes. Although, the main point is that Jewish people should be allowed similar rights to that of the