5 Questions
What was the Code of Hammurabi?
A compilation of almost three hundred laws on every aspect of life
What was the consequence for a man who brought an accusation against another man, charging him with murder, but could not prove it?
The accuser shall be put to death
What was the punishment for a man who bore false witness in a case involving life?
He shall be put to death
What did the Code of Hammurabi aim to establish?
Law and justice in the language of the land
What was the significance of Marduk sending Hammurabi to rule the people?
To establish law and justice in the language of the land
Study Notes
The Code of Hammurabi
- A well-preserved Babylonian code of law from ancient Mesopotamia, dating back to around 1754 BCE
- Established by Hammurabi, the sixth king of the First Dynasty of Babylon
- Comprised of 282 laws, divided into three main sections: civil, criminal, and administrative laws
Consequences for False Accusations
- If a man accused another of murder but could not prove it, his accusation was considered a false charge
- The accuser was to be punished, with a corresponding punishment being inflicted on him
Punishment for False Witness
- A man who bore false witness in a case involving life was to be put to death
Purpose of the Code
- Aims to establish justice, fairness, and social order in ancient Babylonian society
- Ensured that the strong did not oppress the weak, with the goal of maintaining social harmony
Significance of Marduk's Involvement
- Marduk, the patron god of Babylon, was believed to have sent Hammurabi to rule the people
- Hammurabi's divine right to rule was thus justified, and his codes of law were considered sacred and divinely inspired
Test your knowledge of the Code of Hammurabi, a set of laws from ancient Mesopotamia. Learn about the societal norms and principles of justice in this historical legal code.
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