The Code of Hammurabi vs. The Burgundian Code Law and order has always been one of the first and most important components to establishing a civilized society. Without a code of law of some kind, leaders have no way of regulating control and orderliness among the people. The Code of Hammurabi and the Burgundian Code were two of the most important codes of law written because they were both established as major changes were taking place in the Mesopotamian society and the Germanic society, respectively. Despite the fact that the codes had many similar core topics of murder, robbery, and marital issues, the apparent differences in punishments for these issues is an indication of the difference in time the two documents were authored.
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The Code of Hammurabi briefly states that “If a seignior committed robbery and has been caught, that seignior shall be put to death” (Hammurabi 21). It then goes on to list the procedure if the robber is not caught and how the robbed seignior will be returned his property and repaid. The Burgundian Code, though, mentions nothing of stolen property, but of the stealing of girls. The Burgundian Code states, “If anyone shall steal a girl, let him be compelled to pay the price set for such a girl ninefold, and let him pay a fine to the amount of twelve solidi” (Burgundian 151). While a large sum of money is required to pay for a stolen girl, it is noteworthy that the punishment for stolen property of death in the Code of Hammurabi is greater than the punishment of a stolen girl in the Burgundian Code. Nonetheless, the Burgundian Code does go on to state that if the abductor cannot afford the set price of the girl he stole, he shall be handed over the parents of the girl “that they may have the power of doing to him whatever they choose” (151), which could mean servitude or death, but only if he cannot pay off his …show more content…
Comparing men wanted a divorce and women wanting a divorce, it is indisputable how much lesser of people women were treated than men. However, the Burgundian Code does include one section about the consequences for committing a crime against a woman and the price to be paid (Burgundian 153), which the Code of Hammurabi does not include. The crimes and offenses listed in both the Code of Hammurabi and the Burgundian Code are similar, and yet the punishments assigned to each offense vary depending on the document. In the Code of Hammurabi, murder, robbery, and, in some cases, divorce, are all grounds for death. The Burgundian Code has a similar punishment for murder, but only requires a fee to be paid for the robbery of a girls and divorce is always grounds for death when a woman is seeking one. Law codes are so pertinent to any and all societies, that studying Ancient codes of law can give other societies an idea on how to base their
Although …show more content…
The Code of Hammurabi briefly states that “If a seignior committed robbery and has been caught, that seignior shall be put to death” (Hammurabi 21). It then goes on to list the procedure if the robber is not caught and how the robbed seignior will be returned his property and repaid. The Burgundian Code, though, mentions nothing of stolen property, but of the stealing of girls. The Burgundian Code states, “If anyone shall steal a girl, let him be compelled to pay the price set for such a girl ninefold, and let him pay a fine to the amount of twelve solidi” (Burgundian 151). While a large sum of money is required to pay for a stolen girl, it is noteworthy that the punishment for stolen property of death in the Code of Hammurabi is greater than the punishment of a stolen girl in the Burgundian Code. Nonetheless, the Burgundian Code does go on to state that if the abductor cannot afford the set price of the girl he stole, he shall be handed over the parents of the girl “that they may have the power of doing to him whatever they choose” (151), which could mean servitude or death, but only if he cannot pay off his …show more content…
Comparing men wanted a divorce and women wanting a divorce, it is indisputable how much lesser of people women were treated than men. However, the Burgundian Code does include one section about the consequences for committing a crime against a woman and the price to be paid (Burgundian 153), which the Code of Hammurabi does not include. The crimes and offenses listed in both the Code of Hammurabi and the Burgundian Code are similar, and yet the punishments assigned to each offense vary depending on the document. In the Code of Hammurabi, murder, robbery, and, in some cases, divorce, are all grounds for death. The Burgundian Code has a similar punishment for murder, but only requires a fee to be paid for the robbery of a girls and divorce is always grounds for death when a woman is seeking one. Law codes are so pertinent to any and all societies, that studying Ancient codes of law can give other societies an idea on how to base their