Kara Sears
The first known system of written law is a topic with a long and complex history, dating back to ancient societies. The Code of Ur-Nammu, originating from Mesopotamia around 2100-2050 BCE, is the oldest surviving law code. It was written in Sumerian on tablets, with fragments discovered in modern-day Iraq. This code includes statements of royal power and laws pertaining to divorce, sorcery, adultery, and inheritance. The Babylonian Code of Hammurabi, around 1760 BCE, is another early example from the Fertile Crescent. Ancient Rome contributed significantly to modern legal systems, with the Twelve Tables of Roman Law compiled in 450 BCE. China also has a long legal history, influenced by Confucian codes of conduct. Understanding these ancient legal systems provides valuable context for the evolution of law worldwide.
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What You'll Learn
The Code of Ur-Nammu
The code was issued under the name of King Ur-Nammu of Ur, who reigned from 2112–2095 BCE. However, there is some debate over whether the laws were actually authored by Ur-Nammu's son, Shulgi, who may have published them after his father's death. The code was further developed by Shulgi's successors and influenced later legal codes, such as the Laws of Eshnunna and the laws decreed under the reign of Lipit-Ishtar.
The prologue of the Code of Ur-Nammu invokes the deities Nanna and Utu for Ur-Nammu's kingship and decrees "equity in the land". It includes statements of royal power, such as "I eliminated enmity, violence, and cries for justice." The code also addresses criminal provisions, specifying capital offences such as murder, robbery, adultery, and deflowering another man's virgin wife. For other misdemeanours, the penalty was typically a fine in silver.
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Oldest known surviving law code
The oldest known surviving law code is the Code of Ur-Nammu, which is from Mesopotamia and was written in the Sumerian language c. 2100–2050 BC. It is written on tablets and contains strong statements of royal power, such as "I eliminated enmity, violence, and cries for justice". The tablets were discovered in Nippur, in modern-day Iraq, and were translated by Samuel Noah Kramer in 1952. The tablets are now held at the Istanbul Archaeology Museums.
The Code of Ur-Nammu is notable for its focus on equity and justice, with provisions to protect the vulnerable, such as orphans and widows. It also includes laws related to divorce, sorcery, and adultery. For example, if a man accused another man's wife of adultery, and the river ordeal proved her innocent, the accuser had to pay one-third of a mina of silver.
The Code of Ur-Nammu is also significant because it is one of the earliest examples of a written law code, with the previous oldest evidence of a code of law discovered at Ebla, in modern-day Syria, dating back to c. 2400 BC. The Sumerian Code of Ur-Nammu is followed by the Babylonian Code of Hammurabi (c. 1760 BC), which is also from the Fertile Crescent.
The development of law codes was a common feature of ancient Middle Eastern legal systems, with many examples of cuneiform law. These law codes contributed to the development of legal systems that are still in place today, such as Roman law, which was founded on the Twelve Tables of Roman law (first compiled in 450 BC).
The study of ancient legal systems, such as the Code of Ur-Nammu, can provide valuable insights into the evolution of law and the development of modern legal systems.
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From Mesopotamia, written in Sumerian
The Code of Ur-Nammu is the oldest known surviving law code, dating back to around 2100-2050 BCE. It originated in Mesopotamia, written in Sumerian, and was discovered in the form of tablets. The code was written by the Sumerian king Ur-Nammu or his son Shulgi of Ur. The tablets were found in Nippur, now located in modern-day Iraq, and were translated by Samuel Noah Kramer in 1952.
The Code of Ur-Nammu showcases the king's vision of law and order in his kingdom. Ur-Nammu presented himself as a father figure to his people, encouraging unity and a sense of family. The code includes statements of royal power, such as "I eliminated enmity, violence, and cries for justice." It also covers various aspects of life, including divorce, accusations of sorcery and adultery, and financial matters. For instance, a man divorcing his first-time wife was required to pay her one mina of silver, while divorcing a widow required half a mina.
The Sumerian Code of Ur-Nammu is an important artifact in the history of law and governance. It demonstrates the early recognition of the need for standardized laws and the establishment of equity. Ur-Nammu's code also highlights the importance of accessibility and understanding of the law by the general populace. This contrasts with later codes, such as Hammurabi's, which were more explicit and severe, and consulted by the courts.
The discovery and study of ancient law codes, such as the Code of Ur-Nammu, provide valuable insights into the legal systems and societal norms of ancient civilizations. They contribute to our understanding of how laws have evolved over time and the influences that ancient codes have had on modern legal systems. Additionally, the study of ancient laws helps us appreciate the diversity of legal traditions and the ways in which different societies addressed issues of justice and social order.
The Code of Ur-Nammu is a testament to the Sumerian civilization's sophistication and their efforts to establish a just and orderly society. It serves as a foundation for subsequent legal developments and continues to be a subject of interest and research for scholars worldwide.
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Dates back to 2100–2050 BC
The Code of Ur-Nammu, which dates back to 2100–2050 BC, is the oldest known surviving law code. It is from Mesopotamia and is written in the Sumerian language on tablets. The code contains strong statements of royal power, such as "I eliminated enmity, violence, and cries for justice." The tablets were discovered in Nippur, in what is now Iraq, and were translated by Samuel Noah Kramer in 1952. Only the long prologue and five of the laws were discernible.
The Code of Ur-Nammu was created by King Ur-Nammu of Ur, who ruled from 2112 to 2095 BC. The code invokes the deities for Ur-Nammu's kingship, Nanna and Utu, and decrees "equity in the land". Ur-Nammu established laws to ensure fairness and justice, such as standardising weights and measures and protecting the vulnerable, including orphans and widows.
The code also includes specific provisions related to divorce, sorcery, adultery, and bridal presents. For example, if a man divorces his first-time wife, he must pay her one mina of silver, while divorcing a former widow requires half a mina. If a man accuses another's wife of adultery and she is proven innocent, the accuser must pay one-third of a mina of silver.
The Code of Ur-Nammu is significant as it represents an early effort to establish a coherent set of laws for a region, with the aim of creating order and fairness. It is a valuable source for understanding the legal and societal norms of ancient Mesopotamia and the Sumerian civilisation.
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Contains laws on divorce, sorcery, and inheritance
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 contains laws on divorce, sorcery, and inheritance, among other topics.
With regards to divorce, the Code of Ur-Nammu specifies the financial obligations of a man towards his wife in the event of a divorce. For instance, if a man divorces his first-time wife, he must pay her one mina of silver. However, if he divorces a former widow, he only needs to pay half a mina of silver. Interestingly, if a man slept with a widow without a marriage contract, he is not required to pay any silver in the case of a divorce.
On the subject of sorcery, the code dictates that if a man is accused of sorcery and undergoes an ordeal by water, his accuser must pay three shekels if he is proven innocent. Additionally, if a man accuses another man's wife of adultery, and she is proven innocent through the river ordeal, the accuser must pay one-third of a mina of silver to her husband.
The Code of Ur-Nammu also addresses inheritance and gift-giving practices. For example, if a prospective son-in-law enters the house of his prospective father-in-law but is later rejected in favor of another man, the father-in-law is obligated to return twice the amount of bridal presents brought by the initial suitor.
While the Code of Ur-Nammu is the oldest known surviving law code, it is worth noting that even earlier evidence of a code of law has been discovered in Ebla, Syria, dating back to around 2400 BCE.
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Frequently asked questions
The oldest known system of written law is the Code of Ur-Nammu, which is from Mesopotamia and was written c. 2100-2050 BC.
The Code of Ur-Nammu was written on clay tablets in the Sumerian language.
The Code of Ur-Nammu contained strong statements of royal power, such as "I eliminated enmity, violence, and cries for justice". It also included laws relating to divorce, sorcery, adultery, and inheritance.
