The Hammurabi Code

The Hammurabi Code was one of the earliest legal codes in ancient times. This code was written by the Babylonian king Hammurabi who took over Babylon in the 18th century BCE (1,700 BCE). Hammurabi Code has 282 laws and standards that have to be met by the Babylonian people. There were punishments in the laws to meet the requirements of justice. These harsh laws were questioned whether they were “just” or not. “Just” makes sure that if the law were not followed the person who did not follow it was reprimanded and received the discipline they deserved, so they could be brought to justice. Some laws in Hammurabi's Code were “just”, but overall the punishments were “unjust” because of the violent discipline used towards non-violent crimes and the gender differences as well as social class affecting a person's punishment.

The Hammurabi Code demonstrated violent discipline towards non-violent crime. This is “unjust” because people that did not physically hurt anybody should not be brought to justice or disciplined by being physically hurt. Law 21 states that “if a man has broken through the was [to rob] a house, they shall put him to death and pierce him, or hang him in the hole in the was which he has made”.(doc.D) This law shows that a simple crimes punishment is severe and violent. The punishments in Hammurabi's code could be far less severe if they reflected on the damage of the crime. Violent discipline towards non-violent crime is also shown in law 129, which states “If a married lady is caught [in adultery] with another man, they shall bind them and cast them into the water”(doc.C) This law shows that loving someone other than your husband is a crime, and you will be murdered if you commit this crime. Hammurabi’s code was a code of law that disciplined people in an unnecessary violent way.

Hammurabi’s intention for codifying the code was to protect the people of Babylon. In fact, his intention was not what the outcome was. This is shown in document B when it states that “Hammurabi, the protecting king am I. ...That the strong might not injure the weak, in order to protect the widows and orphans, … I set up these precious words, written upon my memorial