Kara Sears
The first written laws are largely believed to be the Code of Hammurabi, a Babylonian legal text composed during 1755–1750 BC. It is written in the Old Babylonian dialect of Akkadian, by Hammurabi, the sixth king of the First Dynasty of Babylon. The Code of Hammurabi is the longest, best-organized, and best-preserved legal text from the ancient Near East. However, it is discovered that the Code of Ur-Nammu, written around 2100–2050 BC, is the oldest known surviving law code.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name of the code | Code of Ur-Nammu |
| Date of origin | c. 2100–2050 BC |
| Origin place | Mesopotamia |
| Language | Sumerian |
| Author | King Ur-Nammu of Ur |
| Number of laws | 57 |
| Other names | Code of Hammurabi, Codex Hammurabi |
| Date of discovery | 1901 |
| Place of discovery | Susa, Iran |
| Current location | Louvre Museum, Paris |
| Number of lines | 4,130 |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
The Code of Ur-Nammu is the oldest known surviving law code
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 was further developed by Shulgi's successors and influenced later codes such as the Laws of Eshnunna (c. 1930 BCE) and the laws decreed under Lipit-Ishtar (c. 1870 to c. 1860 BCE). These codes, in turn, served as a model for the Code of Hammurabi, which influenced the laws of other civilizations, notably the Mosaic Law of the Bible.
The Code of Ur-Nammu reveals a glimpse of societal structure during Ur's Third Dynasty. Beneath the lugal ("great man" or king), all members of society belonged to one of two basic strata: the lu (free person) or the slave (male: arad, female: geme). A woman (munus) went from being a daughter (dumu-mi) to a wife (dam), and if she outlived her husband, she became a widow (nu-ma-su) who could remarry. The code also contains strong statements of royal power, such as "I eliminated enmity, violence, and cries for justice."
The Code of Ur-Nammu is arranged in a casuistic form of "if-(crime), then-(punishment)", a pattern followed in nearly all subsequent codes. It institutes fines of monetary compensation for bodily damage, as opposed to the later lex talionis ("eye for an eye") principle of Babylonian law. However, murder, robbery, adultery, and rape were capital offenses. The code also includes laws regarding divorce and sorcery accusations.
The First Law of Heaven: Key to Eternal Bliss
You may want to see also
Explore related products
It was written in Sumerian c. 2100–2050 BC
The Code of Ur-Nammu is the oldest known surviving law code, written in Sumerian c. 2100–2050 BC. It was discovered on some cuneiform tablets in the Istanbul Archaeology Museums. The Code of Ur-Nammu was written by Ur-Nammu, king of Ur, who also conquered much of southern Mesopotamia. The code reveals a glimpse at societal structure during Ur's Third Dynasty. Beneath the lugal ("great man" or king), all members of society belonged to one of two basic strata: the lu (free person) or the slave (male: arad; female: geme).
The code is made up of casuistic statements ("if... then..."). For example, if a man divorces his first-time wife, he must pay her one mina of silver. If he divorces a widow, he must pay half a mina. If a man accuses another man's wife of adultery and the river ordeal proves her innocent, then the accuser must pay one-third of a mina of silver. The code also includes strong statements of royal power, such as "I eliminated enmity, violence, and cries for justice."
While the Code of Ur-Nammu is the oldest known surviving law code, it is not the only collection of early laws. Several earlier collections survive, written in Sumerian and Akkadian, and there were almost certainly more. Other examples include the Code of Lipit-Ishtar of Isin, the Laws of Eshnunna (written by Bilalama or Dadusha), and the Laws of X, which may be part of the Code of Ur-Nammu.
The Law That Changed It All: Sex Discrimination Outlawed
You may want to see also
Explore related products
The Code of Hammurabi is another early Mesopotamian law code
The Code of Hammurabi is a Babylonian legal text composed between 1755 and 1750 BC. It is the longest, best-preserved, and best-organised legal text from ancient Mesopotamia. The code was purportedly written by Hammurabi, the sixth king of the First Dynasty of Babylon. The primary copy of the text is inscribed on a basalt stele that is 2.25 metres tall. The stele was rediscovered in 1901 at the site of Susa in present-day Iran. It is now housed in the Louvre Museum in Paris, France.
The stele features an image in relief of Hammurabi with Shamash, the Babylonian sun god and god of justice. Below the relief are about 4,130 lines of cuneiform text. One-fifth of the text contains a prologue and epilogue in poetic style, while the remaining four-fifths contain the laws. The prologue begins with an etiology of Hammurabi's royal authority, asserting that he was chosen by the gods. Hammurabi is portrayed as a shepherd, a common metaphor for ancient Near Eastern kings, and his accomplishments are listed. He is also portrayed as pious and dutiful in restoring and maintaining temples.
The Code of Hammurabi addresses a range of topics, including business contracts, proper prices for goods, family law, and criminal law. Each crime inscribed on the stele is followed by the corresponding punishment. The laws also recognised the importance of the intentions of the defendant. For example, the first two laws prescribe punishments for unsubstantiated accusations. Written evidence was highly valued, especially in matters of contract. The establishment of the code on public stelae was intended to increase access to justice.
Although Hammurabi's Code was the first Mesopotamian law collection to be discovered, it was not the first to be written. Earlier collections, such as the Code of Ur-Nammu, the Code of Lipit-Ishtar of Isin, and the Laws of Eshnunna, were written in Sumerian and Akkadian and purport to have been authored by rulers. These collections suggest that the custom of written laws was widespread in ancient Mesopotamia.
The Evolution of Law: Governing Society's Needs
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Hammurabi was the sixth king of the First Dynasty of Babylon
Hammurabi's Code was inscribed on a basalt stele, which was rediscovered in 1901 at the site of Susa in present-day Iran. The stele features an image of Hammurabi with Shamash, the Babylonian sun god and god of justice. Below the relief are about 4,130 lines of cuneiform text, including a prologue and epilogue in poetic style, as well as the laws themselves.
Hammurabi's laws were influenced by his beliefs in various gods, as he claimed to have received the laws from Shamash. He is also known for his accomplishments as a conqueror, bringing much of Mesopotamia under Babylonian rule. He was revered as a great ruler who spread civilization and maintained order.
Hammurabi's Code was not the first written law code, as several earlier collections exist, such as the Code of Ur-Nammu. However, it was the first Mesopotamian law collection to be discovered. Hammurabi's laws have had a lasting impact, with later kings across the Near East claiming him as an ancestor and adopting his code of laws.
Impress Your Father-in-Law: Tips for the First Meeting
You may want to see also
Explore related products
The Code of Hammurabi ruled over an empire with 282 laws
The Code of Hammurabi is a collection of 282 Babylonian laws, developed during the reign of Hammurabi, the sixth king of the First Dynasty of Babylon, between 1792 and 1750 BCE. It is the longest, best-preserved, and best-organised legal text from the ancient Near East. The code is written in the Old Babylonian dialect of Akkadian and is 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 about 4,130 lines of cuneiform text, including a prologue and an epilogue in poetic style.
The Code of Hammurabi was not the first written law code, as several earlier collections exist, such as the Code of Ur-Nammu, which is the oldest known surviving law code from Mesopotamia, written in Sumerian c. 2100–2050 BC. However, Hammurabi's Code was the first Mesopotamian law collection to be discovered. These earlier collections were also written by rulers and followed a similar structure, suggesting a consistent underlying legal system.
The 282 laws in the Code of Hammurabi cover a range of topics, including economic provisions (prices, tariffs, trade, and commerce), family law (marriage and divorce), criminal law (assault, theft), and civil law (slavery, debt). The penalties for breaking these laws varied according to the status of the offender and the circumstances of the offence. The code also recognised the importance of the intentions of a defendant and valued written evidence highly, especially in matters of contract.
The Code of Hammurabi provides insight into the societal structure and beliefs of ancient Mesopotamia. Hammurabi is portrayed as a pious and just ruler, chosen by the gods, who was interested in the affairs of his subjects. The code also reveals the existence of a hierarchical society, with the king at the top, followed by free people and slaves.
The Creator of Nature's Laws
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
The first written laws are largely believed to be the "Code of Hammurabi", a Babylonian legal text composed during 1755–1750 BC. It is written in the Old Babylonian dialect of Akkadian and is made up of about 4,130 lines of cuneiform text.
Hammurabi was an important king, ruling between the late 1800s and mid-1700s BCE. He ruled over the city of Babylon and expanded its influence to rule over several other city-states in the Tigris and Euphrates valleys.
Hammurabi's code of laws is famous for its "an eye for an eye" vision of retributive justice. The code's rules were elementary, and its punishments straightforward. Hammurabi brags about his accomplishments and power, and how pleased the gods are with him.
Yes, several earlier collections of written laws have been discovered. These include the Code of Ur-Nammu of Ur, the Code of Lipit-Ishtar of Isin, and the Laws of Eshnunna. However, these codes are not as complete or well-preserved as Hammurabi's code.
