Hammurabi Code Of Laws Dbq Essay

Hammurabi’s code of laws were seen differently thousands of years ago, opposed to how we see them today. Speaking in an 18th century BCE state of mind, I would say that the laws he established were just. I believe this because in the epilogue, Hammurabi says that as king it is his responsibility to protect his subjects and in my eyes, he does that by enforcing these laws, which makes them just. One of my reasons for believing that his laws were just can be found in Document C which pertains to the laws focused on family. Specifically, Law 168 in which it states that “If a man has determined to disinherit his son and has declared before the judge, ‘I cut off my son,’ the judge shall inquire into the son’s past, and, if the son has not committed a grave misdemeanor…, the father shall not disinherit his son.” This law is just because it protects the weak (son) if he has done no harm, against the father that is trying to get rid of him. Hammurabi …show more content…
Law 48 states that “If a man has borrowed money to plant his fields and a storm has flooded his field or carried away the crop,... in that year he does not have to pay his creditor.” Also, Laws 53 & 54 state that “If a man has opened his trench for irrigation and the waters have flooded his neighbor’s field, the man must restore the crop he has caused to be lost.” The first law just because man couldn’t predict if it was going to flood or not back then so he gives the man borrowing money an extra year to pay his debts as an act of fairness. The laws that follow are also just because it’s the man’s fault that his neighbor’s crops have been ruined so he should take the responsibility to restore what he has caused to be lost. These laws pertaining to property protect the people being affected by doings other than theirs and rights that they deserve, just as Hammurabi said they