Ancient Primary Sources: The Code Of Hammurabi

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Ancient Primary Sources Ancient Babylonian society followed a strict set of laws set in place by their king, Hammurabi. “The Code of Hammurabi” was set in place to unite the cities and legitimize his rule. The 282 laws are a good representation of the values the ancient Babylonians shared. Some laws are much harsher than others and even punishable by death. Property and ownership was a serious matter which came up in many of the laws. If property was stolen, it could be punishable by death. Code 6 states, “If a man steals valuables belonging to the god or to the palace, that man shall be killed, and also he who received the stolen goods from him shall be killed.” Also, ownership required receipts or contracts to be legitimate. Women did

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