Cameron Miranda
The Code of Ur-Nammu, which originated in Mesopotamia around 2100-2050 BCE, is the oldest surviving law code. It was written in Sumerian by the king Ur-Nammu or his son Shulgi of Ur. The code contains statements of royal power, such as I eliminated enmity, violence, and cries for justice. Shulgi's successors further developed the code, influencing later codes such as the Laws of Eshnunna and the Code of Hammurabi, which would go on to shape the laws of other civilizations.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name of the code | Code of Ur-Nammu |
| Date | c. 2100-2050 BCE |
| Place of origin | Mesopotamia |
| Language | Sumerian |
| Author | King Ur-Nammu or his son Shulgi of Ur |
| Number of laws | 57 |
| Format | Cuneiform tablets |
| Contents | Statements of royal power, laws on divorce, sorcery, adultery, inheritance, debt enslavement, community service, tax rates, etc. |
| Influenced | The Laws of Eshnunna, the laws decreed under Lipit-Ishtar, the Code of Hammurabi, and the Mosaic Law of the Bible |
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What You'll Learn
The Code of Ur-Nammu, the oldest known surviving law code
The Code of Ur-Nammu is the oldest known surviving law code, dating from 2100-2050 BCE. It is from Mesopotamia and is written in the Sumerian language on clay tablets in cuneiform script. The code was issued by the Sumerian king Ur-Nammu (r. 2047-2030 BCE) or his son Shulgi of Ur (r. 2029-1982 BCE). Shulgi's successors further developed the code, which influenced later codes such as the Laws of Eshnunna (c. 1930 BCE) and the laws decreed under Lipit-Ishtar (c. 1870-1860 BCE). These codes, in turn, served as a model for the famous Code of Hammurabi, which influenced the laws of other civilizations, including the Mosaic Law of the Bible.
The Code of Ur-Nammu is notable for its casuistic form, with laws structured as "if (crime), then (punishment)", a pattern followed in many subsequent codes. It also reveals societal structure during the Sumerian Renaissance, with the king at the top, followed by free people ("lu") and slaves ("arad" for males and "geme" for females). The code includes provisions for divorce, adultery, sorcery, and bodily harm, with fines of monetary compensation for injuries. For example, if a man knocked out another man's tooth, he would have to pay two shekels of silver.
The prologue of the code, typical of Mesopotamian law codes, invokes the deities Nanna and Utu for Ur-Nammu's kingship and decrees "equity in the land". Ur-Nammu is described as a mighty warrior who banished malediction, violence, and strife. He also standardized weights and measures, such as the one-mina weight and the stone weight of a shekel of silver. The code also includes provisions for slaves, such as the right to marry with the consent of their masters and to remain part of the household even after manumission.
The first copy of the Code of Ur-Nammu was discovered in 1948 in Iraq and was translated by Samuel Noah Kramer in 1952. The tablet was found in two fragments in Nippur, allowing only the prologue and five of the laws to be discerned. Further tablets discovered in Ur in 1965 enabled the reconstruction of approximately 30 of the 57 laws in the code. These fragments are now held at various museums, including the Istanbul Archaeology Museums, the Iraq Museum in Baghdad, the Istanbul Museum, and the British Museum.
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Mesopotamia, the empire where the code originated
Mesopotamia is widely regarded as the birthplace of the world's oldest written code of law. The Code of Ur-Nammu, created around 2100-2050 BCE, is the oldest known surviving law code. It was written in the Sumerian language on clay tablets and attributed to King Ur-Nammu of Ur, who ruled from 2047-2030 BCE. The code was further developed by Ur-Nammu's successors, Shulgi, Bilalama, and Dadusha, and influenced later codes such as the Laws of Eshnunna (c. 1930 BCE) and the laws decreed under Lipit-Ishtar (c. 1870-1860 BCE). These codes, in turn, influenced the famous Code of Hammurabi, created by the Babylonian king Hammurabi around 1795-1750 BCE.
The Code of Ur-Nammu contains a prologue invoking the deities Nanna and Utu and presenting Ur-Nammu as a mighty warrior and the king of Ur, Sumer, and Akkad. The prologue also includes statements of royal power and decrees of equity, such as "I eliminated enmity, violence, and cries for justice." The code addresses various aspects of law, including divorce, accusations of sorcery and adultery, and inheritance. For example, it stipulates that "a man who divorces his first-time wife shall pay her one mina of silver," and if a man accuses another man's wife of adultery and she is proven innocent, the accuser must pay one-third of a mina of silver.
The code also includes provisions for slaves, such as preventing them from being set free and forced to leave their owner's household after marriage to avoid the expense of supporting their family. Additionally, it standardises weights and measures, such as the one-mina weight and the stone weight of a shekel of silver. The Code of Ur-Nammu provides valuable insights into the legal, social, and economic aspects of ancient Mesopotamian society and serves as a foundation for subsequent legal codes in the region and beyond.
Mesopotamia, located in the ancient Near East, was home to several civilisations, including the Akkadian Empire established by Sargon of Akkad (2334-2279 BCE). The region was known for its advanced administrative and legal systems, with the Mesopotamian justice system relying primarily on customary law upheld by assemblies of elders, town officials, or courts. Judges were chosen by the local community or appointed by the king, and proceedings or verdicts were recorded in writing, often on clay tablets.
The Code of Hammurabi, written in Old Babylonian Akkadian, is the longest and best-preserved legal text from the ancient Near East. It was inscribed on a basalt stele, which was discovered in 1901 in Susa, present-day Iran. The stele features an image of Hammurabi with Shamash, the Babylonian sun god and god of justice, and contains a prologue, epilogue, and various laws. The Code of Hammurabi was influenced by earlier Mesopotamian codes and had a significant impact on the legal systems of other civilisations, including the Mosaic Law of the Bible.
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The Akkadian Empire, which ruled Mesopotamia
Under Sargon and his successors, the Akkadian language was briefly imposed on neighbouring conquered states such as Elam and Gutium. The empire was centred on the city of Akkad, whose location remains unknown. According to legend, the city was built by Sargon, and it was likely situated along the western bank of the Euphrates River. The empire's influence extended far beyond its core region, reaching areas such as Syria, Egypt, and Persia.
The Akkadian Empire set several precedents that would later become standard. Sargon established the idea of a dynasty by declaring that a man's sons should inherit his kingdom. This model of succession was maintained by subsequent Akkadian rulers, including Rimush, Manishtusu, Naram-Sin (also known as Naram-Suen) and Shar-Kali-Sharri. Naram-Sin, the grandson of Sargon, ruled for over 50 years and is considered one of the great kings of Akkad. He expanded the empire's boundaries, increased trade, and personally led military campaigns beyond the Persian Gulf, even reaching Egypt, according to some sources.
The Akkadian Empire played a significant role in stabilizing the region of Mesopotamia, fostering advancements in art, literature, science, agriculture, and religion. However, the empire eventually weakened and faced challenges such as invasions by the West Asian Gutians and climate change, which brought drought and famine. Around 2000 BCE, the Akkadian Empire was conquered by the Amorites, bringing an end to the era of Akkadian dominance in Mesopotamia.
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The Code of Hammurabi, influenced by the Code of Ur-Nammu
The Code of Hammurabi is believed to be influenced by the Code of Ur-Nammu, the oldest known surviving law code, which is from Mesopotamia and is written on tablets in the Sumerian language. The Code of Ur-Nammu was written between 2100 and 2050 BCE by the Sumerian king Ur-Nammu or his son, Shulgi of Ur. It contains 57 laws regarding Sumerian society, including strong statements of royal power and provisions for both civil and criminal matters. For example, it specifies capital offences such as murder, robbery, deflowering another man's virgin wife, and adultery when committed by a woman. For other misdemeanours, the penalty was a fine in silver.
The Code of Hammurabi, on the other hand, was inscribed by the Babylonian king Hammurabi around 1795-1750 BCE or 1772 BCE. It is a longer, better-preserved, and more well-known code, famous for being written on a large stele that was put on public display for all to see. The Code of Hammurabi is believed to have been influenced by the earlier codes of Eshnunna (c. 1930 BCE) and Lipit-Ishtar (c. 1870-1860 BCE), which themselves were influenced by the Code of Ur-Nammu.
The Code of Hammurabi is known for its harsh penalties, including the famous saying "an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth". In contrast, the Code of Ur-Nammu is considered more progressive, with less severe penalties for similar crimes. For example, while the Code of Hammurabi mandates reciprocal punishment, the Code of Ur-Nammu often lays out monetary fines as punishment for lesser offences.
The Code of Hammurabi also differs from the Code of Ur-Nammu in its approach to publicity. While the Code of Ur-Nammu was written only on tablets, limiting its knowledge to the upper classes, the Code of Hammurabi was publicly displayed and read to those who could not read. This difference reflects the diverse population under Hammurabi's reign compared to the earlier Third Dynasty of Ur.
Overall, the Code of Hammurabi, one of the most influential law codes in history, built upon and adapted earlier law codes, including the Code of Ur-Nammu, to create a set of laws that would influence the laws of other civilizations, such as the Mosaic Law of the Bible.
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The Code's impact on the creation of Mosaic Law in the Bible
The Code of Ur-Nammu is the oldest known surviving law code, dating back to 2100-2050 BCE. It is from Mesopotamia and is written in the Sumerian language on tablets. The code was developed by King Ur-Nammu or his son Shulgi of Ur. Shulgi's successors further developed the code, influencing later codes such as the Laws of Eshnunna and the laws decreed under Lipit-Ishtar's reign. These codes, in turn, influenced the Code of Hammurabi, which served as a model for the Mosaic Law of the Bible.
The Mosaic Law, also known as the Mosaic Code, is a set of laws given specifically to the nation of Israel to govern their moral, religious, and secular life. It is made up of three parts: the Ten Commandments, the ordinances, and the worship system, which includes the priesthood, tabernacle, offerings, and festivals. The Mosaic Law is found primarily in the first five books of the Old Testament: Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy.
The Code of Ur-Nammu, as the oldest known law code, likely influenced the development of the Mosaic Law in several ways. Firstly, it established a precedent for codifying laws and legal principles, which would have been a novel concept at the time. Secondly, both the Code of Ur-Nammu and the Mosaic Law share a concern for justice and equity, as seen in Ur-Nammu's statement of "equity in the land" and the Mosaic Law's emphasis on revealing the holy character of God and setting Israel apart as a distinct nation.
Additionally, the Code of Ur-Nammu's influence can be seen in the Mosaic Law's treatment of specific issues. For example, the Code of Ur-Nammu includes provisions for divorce and compensation for wrong accusations, which may have influenced similar laws in the Mosaic Code. The Mosaic Law also includes laws regarding slavery, and while the specifics differ, the Code of Ur-Nammu's recognition of slaves' marital rights and protection from expulsion may have contributed to the Mosaic Law's broader framework on slavery.
Furthermore, the Code of Ur-Nammu's impact on the Mosaic Law may extend beyond specific legal provisions. The Mosaic Law is seen as an ethical code given by God to govern the nation of Israel, and Ur-Nammu similarly presented himself as a father figure to his people, encouraging them to view his laws as rules for a family. This concept of law as a guiding force for a unified community may have been influenced by the earlier Code of Ur-Nammu.
In conclusion, while the specific influences cannot be definitively proven, it is highly likely that the Code of Ur-Nammu, as the oldest known law code, had a significant impact on the creation of the Mosaic Law in the Bible. The Mosaic Law's structure, ethical underpinnings, and treatment of specific legal issues may all have been influenced by the earlier Sumerian code.
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Frequently asked questions
The oldest known written code of law is the Code of Ur-Nammu, from Mesopotamia, written c. 2100–2050 BC.
The Code of Ur-Nammu was written on tablets in the Sumerian language. It contains statements of royal power, such as "I eliminated enmity, violence, and cries for justice". It also includes laws relating to divorce, sorcery, and adultery.
It is believed that the Code of Ur-Nammu was written by the Sumerian king Ur-Nammu (r. 2047-2030 BCE) or his son Shulgi of Ur (r. 2029-1982 BCE).
The Code of Ur-Nammu was followed by the Laws of Eshnunna (c. 1930 BCE) and the laws decreed under the reign of Lipit-Ishtar (c. 1870 to c. 1860 BCE). These codes influenced the form and vision of later codes, such as the famous Code of Hammurabi.
