The Scales of Justice, an ancient symbol of law and righteousness, is a recognizable emblem of the balancing of what is fair in the eyes of the law. The scales are commonly attributed to the Greek goddess Themis and her daughter, Dike. Although the Greeks fabricated the symbol centuries after many of the first civilizations, its connotation and message of fairness, equality, and reason emerged in earlier civilizations, such as the Babylonians of Babylon. Babylon was a small city-state in ancient Mesopotamia that was ruled by Hammurabi from 1792-1750 BCE. Hammurabi, who lived about 38 centuries ago, reigned for around 30 years, and subsequently went on to claim most of Mesopotamia under his rule. After years of war and suffering, Hammurabi …show more content…
wanted to bring peace upon his lands. So, in his 38th year of rule, he codified one of the oldest known sets of laws, Hammurabi’s Code. Being a codification, or an arrangement set down in writing, Hammurabi did not write many of the laws himself, but he was one of the first to make such a complete list. The laws were carved in cuneiform, an early form of writing, on a large pillar-like stone called a stele, and displayed for all to see. Although many historians believe Hammurabi wanted his subjects to transition from a time of war to a new era of tranquility, his code is clearly a product of a king. Meaning, although he claims to protect the weak and vulnerable, his best interest seemed to be not with the oppressed or victimized, but with whomever, victim or offender, has a higher social class. In addition, his punishments were very radical. Hammurabi shows injustice in family law by basing his laws of mental predispositions, shows inconsideration in property law by thinking one-dimensionally, and shows favoritism in the field of personal injury by reprimanding inconsistently. Hammurabi’s code was not just. Hammurabi based the family section of his code off of patriarchal and sexist standpoints. Many ancient civilizations had unwritten social conventions of men being the dominant leaders, and women being submissive to their wishes, but they were just how the people choose to live, not solid law to abide to. When one decides to record down laws for a sum of people to follow, biases like this must be omitted. Babylonia is estimated to have had around a population of one million, half of those being women. How sturdy is a law when half the population it applies to finds it unfavorable? One might argue that the women of the times were used to this inferior treatment, but throughout history, it is evident that women from all kinds of regions and cultures have took a stand against what was once a “man’s world.” From Document C: “If a man has married a wife and disease has seized her, if he is determined to marry a second wife, he shall marry her. He shall not divorce.. and he shall maintain her as long as she lives.” Instead of being faithful to whom he has promised his life to, the man foresees her impending death and decides he shall find another, without doing the woman the grace of waiting for her to die so she will not be heartbroken. In Babylonian society, a law like this can not be reversed in genders. A woman can not find a new husband if her current one becomes ill, for she is expected to stay by his side and mourn his death. Double standards such as these can not be defined as something put forth by a “king of righteousness… [whose] name [should] ever be repeated,” words of which Hammurabi states himself in Document B. A king of righteousness would make this law applicable to both men and women. Hammurabi’s bold assertions that he should be praised imply that he cares much more for his own legacy than the validity of his law presently and in the future. Hammurabi claimed himself to be man of fairness and reason, but contradicts this in the property law section of his code by showing lack of compromise.
In order for a verdict to be justifiable, one must of put everyone involved in the conflict in mind. Compensations for victims were not unfair to the victim himself, but to other people involved. “If a man has borrowed money to plant his fields and a storm has flooded his field or carried away the crop, … in that year he does not have to pay his creditor,” is stated in Document D. A creditor, or one who lets you borrow their money for a crop, does not have to fund the less wealthy, he chooses to, under the conditions he will be repaid. The funded will gain profit from his crop, and the creditor will be repaid his money with interest. If something happens and the farmer can not repay his debts, the creditor should not be at a loss for this. This law should be modified in a way that the farmer has to still repay the creditor, but have a longer period of time to do so, such as a few years or so. That way, the creditor is still fairly reimbursed, and the farmer is not indebted for the rest of his life for something he could not of predictable or prevented. Compromising like this can heighten the sense of peace Hammurabi sought after, because there will be no cold feelings between people of communities that can hinder his goal. Laws like this between a farmer and his creditor can be improved with direct compromise, but the ultimate flexibility of law is rooted in its ability to be interpreted in a very multifaceted manner.“By the command of Shamash, the great god and judge of heaven and earth… let him read my inscription and understand my precious words.” This excerpt from Document B leads one to infer the most major flaw of Hammurabi’s code: there was no room for interpretation. Hammurabi states that his words are precious and approved by the gods. Meaning, one can not construe them, as they are irrefutable. If some
aspects of law can not be left to one’s own take from what is stated, compromise is hard, if not impossible to make. In essence, all that has been set forth by Hammurabi is, in his opinion, and enforced to be, so perfect that even the gods command it. This can not be said by any law, especially one constructed in ancient times when laws were riddled with prejudice. The personal injury, or civil law, section of Hammurabi’s code is flawed because it puts a value on human beings. such as the rich and acclaimed and the poor. In Hammurabi’s time, this was especially important because hard evidence was not needed to be accused of something, to an extent. If one claims to of witnessed you stealing, vandalizing, or performing any other act of destruction, you would of been a prime suspect. From Document B, “Let the oppressed, , who has a case at law, come and stand before… my image.” Since social classes were very distinct, if you displeased someone very powerful, it would be difficult for law officials to dismiss, since they probably work at the service of the accuser or must treat them respectfully. This causes deep-rooted corruption that is hard to prove exists, essentially dooming someone who is a suspect of a high-status citizen. Therefore, the oppressed have little voice, as opposed to what Hammurabi promises. If a slave who is certain a free man has robbed another, comes forth and claims this, he would not be taken seriously and/or punished for his accusation. Putting a mental value on people, such as their credibility, although immoral, seems less so when one considers that in Babylonian society, freemen had a literal higher “value” than that of others. Taken from Document E: “If a man strikes the daughter of a free man and causes her to lose the fruit of her womb, he shall pay 10 shekels of silver… If he has struck the slave-girl of a free man and causes her to lose the fruit of her womb, he shall pay 2 shekels of silver.” The fact that somebody has been forced to labor as a slave for another does mean that their children are inferior to that of a free man’s. No ruler, not even one claiming the gods agree with him, can be a price on human life, for it has none. If one cause anybody to lose their baby, whether it be the heir to the throne of Babylon or a slave girl’s child, it should be punishable by more than just a mere fine. Also, while the fine of the free woman’s lost child is probably given to her and her family. On the other hand, the fine that must be paid for the loss of the slave girl’s child is given to her owner, which is the equivalent of no justice being served on the behalf of the slave girl. Discrepancies like this support the fact that righteousness is not attainable for everybody in Babylonian society.
In the 1300s Mansa Musa, king of Mali took his holy pilgrimage to the city of Mecca as a devout muslim, traveling through scorching deserts and bustling cities, although there might be other reasons he took his religious Hajj. The pilgrimage of Mansa Musa traveled all across Northern Africa and Arabia, stopping in cities along the way where Mansa Musa gave out gold to all he saw. The journey from the Empire of Mali to the city of Mecca was not only a faithful religious journey to the holy city, but also to create a name for Mali as the wealthy and powerful empire it was.
I think Hammurabi’s Code was just because, one of his laws was. If a free man was to know out the other man’s eye was to be knocked out as well. Therefore, it’s protecting the victim’s eye. That was law 196. In my opinion, I don’t think this law was bad, it’s protecting the free man but if a slave’s eye was to be knocked out. The other person would have to pay have of the slave’s owner ship to his master.
Ancient Egyptians created many tools and structures with the help of people from all social classes. One of the most amazing structures of that time period was the Great Pyramid at Giza. Many people were involved in the building process of this pyramid. Document A and E both state that slaves were not the only ones involved in this long process of building the Great Pyramid at Giza. Document E tells us that around twenty-five percent of the workers were people of high status, and many peasants were required to help build this pyramid. It also tells us that the number of slaves that had helped build this pyramid is still a bit unclear. Considering the fact of how normal the idea of slaves was, it’s hard to believe none were involved whatsoever.
Sparta was known for being strong, but was it really? In case you don’t know, Sparta was a Greek city-state. Sparta only focused on war. Spartans were only taught the basics of other topics. Spartans were trained for 13 years just to fight. Reading and writing were only taught in Sparta for practical reasons. The strengths didn’t outweigh the weaknesses. There were more weaknesses to Sparta than there were strengths. The strengths of Sparta didn’t outweigh the weaknesses for three reasons. The first reason is that the babies were killed just if they looked weak. The second reason is that the Spartans barely new anything about other topics (math, reading, writing, etc). The third and final reason is that the helots outnumbered the Spartans 50 to 1.
The justice of Hammurabi's laws can be justified in several ways.In the family laws, law 129 it states “If a married lady is caught [in adultery] with another man, they shall bind them and cast them into the water.” , And in law 148 It talks about how “ if a man has a married wife and a disease has seized her….he shall not divorce the wife …. She shall dwell in the house they have built together,and he shall maintain her as long as she shall live.”, as you can see Hammurabi is fair he doesn't think that neither the husband nor the wife shall use one another, simply because that wouldn't be
Personal Injury laws are an example of evidence that support the fact that The Code Of Hammurabi is not just. Law 209 states that if a man hits the daughter of a free man and kills her unborn baby he has to pay 10 shekels (Document E.) In Law 213 it says that if a man has hit a slave girl and also causes her to lose her unborn baby he should pay only 2 shekels (Document E). Both punishments of these laws still do not solve the problem of the loss of a baby. Although getting paid in shekels is helpful, the real problem is the loss of the baby and money cannot fix that. It is also unfair because the slave girl and a normal girl should at least get the same amount
East Asia from 1450-1750, including China, Japan, and Ming China, used many different strategies for empire and state building including taking voyages around the world to get ideas for their empire, having a good educational system and a strong, powerful government, including women in schooling and political events, having different views on religious freedoms and having a tough military.
Before he died, Hammurabi was a person who created many laws. He created a code of 282 fair laws (BGE). He created his law on a stone seal. He made the laws to control the city-state of Babylonia. He was a ruler of a huge city-state in Mesopotamia for 42 years. He made laws for 1,000,000 people that each person had to follow or they would be punished on what they did. The way they were punished depended on what they did. There were 3 categories Family law, Property law, and Personal-Injury law. Was Hammurabi’s code just? Hammurabi’s laws were just because of 3 categories, Family Laws, Property Laws, and Personal-Injury Laws.
One of the most important aspects of any society is the ruling system. A society simply could not function without any sort of rules or regulations. With the tremendous growth of Babylonian society came the need for law systems. Perhaps one of the most well known law systems was Babylonian ruler Hammurabi’s compilation of Mesopotamian laws known as Hammurabi 's Code. Hammurabi 's Code contained laws pertaining to trade, marriage, property, crime, social class, and more (Judge and Langdon, 25). So much can be learned about early societies through this famous artifact. Although these laws may have been accepted by the Babylonian citizens at the time, it is now clear to see that the code was extremely unjust. Hammurabi 's Code uncovers the social
The Code of Hammurabi has a slightly different way of describing the way a society should maintain stability and avoid chaos. In this code of conduct it is more on the lines of something similar to the Bill of Rights where each idea is stated in form of a law. For example, in the 15th amendment of The Code it staes “15: If any one take a male or female slave of the court, or a male or female slave of a freed man, outside the city gates [to escape], he shall be put to death.” It is a listed set of laws followed by a consequence whether it is minor or as harsh as the death penalty. If such harsh punishments were informed, I believe the law makers or theorists saw it as a type of scare which would prevent people from committing the crime. There are those people who do break the law and make stupid decisions, but it would keep the amount of people making stupid decisions and breaking the law to a
The author of the Code also makes some key assumptions while writing his laws. Hammurabi must assume that the members of his kingdom have the same values and morals that he does. He writes as if everyone will agree with each law written, and makes no provision for members of society to disagree with him. Hammurabi also assumes that the punishment he prescribes will be enough to deter crime and prevent repeat offenders. When prescribing the incentives given to doctors, Hammurabi made assumptions about how much money it would take to encourage doctors to practice medicine and shipbuilders to build ships.
Hammurabi’s Code provides evidence for early documents that signify law and order. For instance, Hammurabi’s says in his code if a man wrongs another with his false accusations, he shall be subjected to death (1, 3). His laws illustrate a judicial system in which someone has to pay someone that they wronged in either the same way that they wronged him or through money depending on the person’s social status. It is also said in his code of law that there were penalties for those who disobeyed his laws. For example, Hammurabi says, “If that man do not pay attention to my words…may the great god, the father of the gods, ...
Well, rome was a balanced mixture of three different types of government, monarchy, aristocracy, and democracy. Some can argue that it was really an oligarchy in which only a small group of wealthy, landowning families controlled the major magistracies. I am one of those people who would argue that it was mostly an oligarchy. In document B, Fergus Millar, a professor at Oxford University explains that every adult male citizen, the rich, the poor, even slaves had a vote. However, all women were excluded. All voting had to be done in Rome, this means that if you wanted to vote, you had to be able to afford the time and money to get to Rome. A historian Ramsay MacMullen said only two percent of citizens voted, which means this system of voting
His property laws are basically insurance for those who are taken advantage of. Such as in Hammurabi’s code it states “If the robber is not caught the man who has been robbed shall formally declare whatever he has lost before a god, and the city and the mayor whose territory or district the robbery has been committed shall replace for him whatever he has lost.” (doc D, law 23) This is an example of how Hammurabi protected those who couldn't help themselves. There is also evidence that he supports the poor through the property laws was through a law that stated that” if a man has borrowed money to plant crops and a natural disaster destroys his crops he is not in debt to his creditor” (doc D, Law 48) Both of these laws as well as documents A,B, and C are a testimony that Hammurabi’s code was a just system that protects the weak and the
No doubt the concept “an eye for an eye” was a big part of the Code of Hammurabi. Although, when it came to women, this principle does not apply equally as it did with men of the Babylonian civilization. For example, if a man were to practice adultery while he was married, he would get a very minor punishment for whatever good reason he came up with. If a woman were to practice adultery on her husband, she and the other man she was having an affair with were both thrown into a river while being tied up to one another. Basically women were constantly addressed as a piece of property just as slaves were treated. Hammurabi’s Code demonstrated how the rights of women individually were not acknowledged as men’s rights were taken. King Hammurabi was the sixth Babylonian king and he gave all of the power to the men in the civilization. It can be proven that a woman, in Hammurabi time didn’t have as many rights, even right to defend herself. There are three major issues that were taken place during the Babylonian civilization. The first issue, was about a woman’s family wealth being controlled by her husband or her father. The second issue was about women’s sexuality being sacrificed to ensure legitimacy. The last issue talked about a woman needing society’s help if she was divorced. The Hammurabi Code describes all of women’s rights and