hammurabi

“When the god Marduk commanded me to provide just ways for the people of the land in order to attain appropriate behavior, I established truth and justice as the declaration of the land. I enhanced the well-being of the people.”(Coffin Stacy 20). During the 1792 BCE a new ruler rose to power in the city of Babylon in Mesopotamia; claiming the leadership role not only through brute force but through sheer intelligence as well as military strategies despite lacking a well equipped army Hammurabi would become known throughout history for his strategic laws known as Hammurabi’s Laws. Hammurabi’s empire, his legacy and his role in society were crucial to his leadership.

Babylon being a small piece of Mesopotamia was insignificant compared to the Amorites kingdoms bored wrong its boundaries. When Hammurabi an Amorites chieftain in 1792 BEC gained control of Babylon as its leader his empire reigned in strength gained through his writings. Through his writings and laws his enemies succumbed; portraying his image as an ally to his enemies using letters, embassies and double dealings to skillfully manipulate and cause strife and tensions between kingdoms. While Hammurabi built his own kingdom while his neighboring kingdoms argued and fought amongst themselves while waiting to progress onto his weakness neighbors. His writings subtlety spread hate and his message using the God Marduk to assert his dominance and power over his people and enemies, verily those who dared to oppose him would be opposing the God Marduk. Effectively using religion and god to unite his territories as well as his set of laws. Hammurabi's empire grew in size and strength stretching from the Persian Gulf to Assyria. "...use Marduk's supremacy over all other gods to l...

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...role in society through his leadership. Transforming Babylon which was once an unimportant tiny town of Mesopotamia into a two thousand century long stable kingdom which gained acclaim and status throughout the kingdom of Mesopotamia. Hammurabi's influence and writings which were early forms of government in these ancient civilizations spread his influence even through death to neighboring Ancient near East kingdoms. Through his use of writings as political tools Hammurabi dominated and acquired power and control of his kingdom as well as neighboring territories, for what he couldn't gain through wars and physical violence he gained through verbal and written tools establishing his legacy and place among history.

Works Cited

Coffin, Judith, Robert Stacey, Joshua Cole, and Carol Symes. 17th ed. Vol. 1. New York: W. W. Norton &, 2011. Print. ISBN13: 9780393934823.