The Code of Hammurabi
  • Home
  • Introduction
    • Relation to Theme
  • Background
    • Previous Codes of Law
    • Hammurabi
    • Hammurabi's Conquests
    • Creation of the Code
  • Stele of Hammurabi
    • Original Text
    • Translated Text>
      • Importance of Religion
      • Laws on Property and Theft
      • Laws on False Acccusations
      • Laws on Familial Matters
      • Laws on Assault and Battery
      • Laws on Professions and Work
  • Historical Significance
    • Basis of Modern Law
    • Discrimination>
      • Social Class Discrimination
      • Gender Discrimination
  • Key Terms
  • Resources
    • Process Paper
    • Annotated Bibliography

Basis of Modern Law


"Let any oppressed man who has a cause come into the presence of my statue as king of justice, and have the inscription on my stele read out, and hear my precious words, that my stele may make the case clear to him; may he understand his cause, and may his heart be set at ease!"
-The Code of Hammurabi

Image Courtesy Of: RocketSwag.com

The impact of The Code of Hammurabi can still be observed today. Law 127 grants protection from slander (see Laws on False Accusations), which is similar to the First Amendment's freedom of speech clause.

Furthermore, in many countries today, lex talionis is still prevalent. For example, in Saudi Arabia, certain robberies will result in the removal of the perpetrator’s hands.
 
Picture
Law 127 of the Code of Hammurabi.

Video courtesy of: Carol Symes, Norton History, Youtube.com  

Historical Significance
Discrimination
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