Hammurabi Dbq

Words: 443
Pages: 2

Hammurabi’s most memorable accomplishment was in fact the proclamation of the extensive law code that was introduced in 1755 B.C.E. called the Hammurabi’s law code. These laws on divine authority were issued “to establish law and justice in the language of the land, thereby promoting the welfare of the people” (p.18). Within this code, there was a variety of punishments for those who broke the law that was including fines and physical punishment such as, mutilation whipping, and burning. The Hammurabi’s code, was a code that provided a wealth of information, about the daily life n Mesopotamia. Agriculture was a very strong fundamental, so the code dealt extensively towards it; the tenants could face a severe penalty that was for not working on the land, or for even neglecting the land. Not only …show more content…
The code of Hammurabi also demanded that a punishment fit a crime, as the popular saying states, “an eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth” (P.19), however, that was only applicable among equals. Those of higher-ranking, who hurt a commoner or slave would just pay fine to the victim, however, it was a huge fine for them, such as five years salary for a laborer. The Hammurabi’s code began with legal procedure, however, there were no public prosecutors or district attorneys, so each individual had to bring their own complains before the court. When it comes to the Hammurabi’s code and our modern American laws, there are a few similarities along with some differences. For example, one difference can be how with the Hammurabi’s code the accuser of a case is required to bring the accused to court that was by themselves, while in modern American laws, it is required by law for the accused to actually show up to court. In addition, punishments were harsher in Babylon’s time. One similarity can be how both codes and laws offer the protection of a citizen’s property, there are different punishments and fines for different types of crimes, and it is all based on