Hammurabi Research Paper

1127 Words3 Pages

Hi everyone! My name is Tom and today I'll be talking about the Code of Hammurabi. Imagine what it would be like if we didn't have any laws. If people did just as they pleased without any regard for others, life would probably get pretty chaotic. Law is one of society's most basic and necessary institutions. It establishes a person’s duties and obligations. The law also sets penalties for those who violate the rules. It helps teach us right from wrong. One of the earliest known written set of laws was composed by Hammurabi. Today my speech will cover who Hammurabi was, what his codes were, examine some of his most important and influential laws, and finally I'll discuss the significance it had moving forward.
According to Ancient History Encyclopedia, Hammurabi was the sixth king of Babylon of the First Babylonian Dynasty from 1792 B.C.E. to 1750 B.C.E. Located in present day Iraq, Hammurabi is recognized with uniting this area, Mesopotamia (Hammurabi). While in power he pursued many military battles. The main purpose of these battles was to gain control of the Tigris and Euphrates rivers. “This was essential as their agricultural productivity depended on it (Hammurabi)”.
Five years into his title, King Hammurabi started his attacks by conquering the cities of Uruk and Isin to the south in 1787 B.C.E. (The Code of Hammurabi). Over the next fourteen years Hammurabi used the time to strengthen his cities towards enemies on his northern borders. “In 1763 B.C.E. he conquered the city of Larsa, which was the final piece to make possible for him to take over the final remaining cities in the south” (The Code of Hammurabi). He followed this victory with an invasion of Mari, completing his rule over Mesopotamia.
Hammurabi transformed ...

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...cause, and may his heart be set at ease!" (EAWC Anthology: Hammurabi's Code of Laws)
To conclude my speech today, Hammurabi was the sixth king of Babylon (Hammurabi). He was a successful military leader and ruler that concentrated on building defensive protection, establishing a basis of law and order, and specializing irrigation. Hammurabi is arguably most remembered for his code of the laws governing Babylonian life. The Code of Hammurabi consists of 282 laws ranging from divorce, property and inheritance, and fairness in commercial exchanges (Code of Hammurabi: Ancient Babylonian Laws). Punishment and severity varied within social structure. “It symbolizes not only the rise of justice in the minds of men, but also man’s rise above ignorance and barbarism toward the peaceful and just societies that we still pursue today” (EAWC Anthology: Hammurabi's Code of Laws).

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