The Code of Hammurabi Reading Response
1. Laws are critical to any society; in The Code of Hammurabi this criticality is stated in the introduction where it is said that law is in place “…to destroy the wicked and the evil-doers; so that the strong should not harm the weak…” (The Code of Hammurabi 1) and to “…further the well-being of mankind” (1). These laws, had such an emphasis on protecting the weak that it is emphasized that the one to enforce said laws would be the “…shepherd of the oppressed and of the slaves…” (3). Protection of the weak, oppressed, and of the slaves is only done in a centralized and static rule, the rule of law – for the benefit of all. This message is echoed in modern times and The Code of Hammurabi can be looked …show more content…
In section one and two of this response, several examples are stated in which law affected different groups of people in different ways – such as provisions for young sons, women, women of the gods and members of the government. In addition, The Code of Hammurabi greatly biases those who are wealthy, which are most likely to be the greatest consumers, with provisions that protect the customer such as “… [if a] merchant is then proved to be a thief and shall be put to death” (6). This favoring of the wealthy continues with even more provisions protecting those who have from those who may steal or ruin, an example of this is stating in rule two hundred and forty “the master of the merchantman, which wrecked the ferryboat, must compensate the owner for the boat and all that he ruined.” (32).
4. The Code of Hammurabi is an important document in the development of civilization as it is believed to be the first code of law “…predating the Hebrew 'Ten Commandments" by about 500 years” (44). Prior to a code of law, it is likely society was chaos; this chaos is hinted at when the emphasis of the code is on the “…protection of the weak from being brutalized by the strong” (44). It’s unrefutably clear that The Code of Hammurabi had an incredible influence on the legal system of the United States as an image of Hammurabi is etched in to the side of the Supreme Court
1. Laws are critical to any society; in The Code of Hammurabi this criticality is stated in the introduction where it is said that law is in place “…to destroy the wicked and the evil-doers; so that the strong should not harm the weak…” (The Code of Hammurabi 1) and to “…further the well-being of mankind” (1). These laws, had such an emphasis on protecting the weak that it is emphasized that the one to enforce said laws would be the “…shepherd of the oppressed and of the slaves…” (3). Protection of the weak, oppressed, and of the slaves is only done in a centralized and static rule, the rule of law – for the benefit of all. This message is echoed in modern times and The Code of Hammurabi can be looked …show more content…
In section one and two of this response, several examples are stated in which law affected different groups of people in different ways – such as provisions for young sons, women, women of the gods and members of the government. In addition, The Code of Hammurabi greatly biases those who are wealthy, which are most likely to be the greatest consumers, with provisions that protect the customer such as “… [if a] merchant is then proved to be a thief and shall be put to death” (6). This favoring of the wealthy continues with even more provisions protecting those who have from those who may steal or ruin, an example of this is stating in rule two hundred and forty “the master of the merchantman, which wrecked the ferryboat, must compensate the owner for the boat and all that he ruined.” (32).
4. The Code of Hammurabi is an important document in the development of civilization as it is believed to be the first code of law “…predating the Hebrew 'Ten Commandments" by about 500 years” (44). Prior to a code of law, it is likely society was chaos; this chaos is hinted at when the emphasis of the code is on the “…protection of the weak from being brutalized by the strong” (44). It’s unrefutably clear that The Code of Hammurabi had an incredible influence on the legal system of the United States as an image of Hammurabi is etched in to the side of the Supreme Court