The Code of Hammurabi

The code of Hammurabi was presented in an eight-foot-tall stele made of gleaming

black basalt. On the upper part of it shows Hammurabi the Babylonian king standing

in the left next to the God of justice , Shamash. The laws were written in a phallic

form , Hence made it obvious that it is a symbol of Hammurabi’s authority. Everyone

at the time of Hammurabi could recognize the symbol of Hammurabi’s authority .

Even those who could not read what was inscribed in the stele.

Hammurabi ruled Babylon , which is a city in the center of Mesopotamia . During the

Time of his ruling , Mesopotamia was at a high point of political integration . This is

Just one part of the effect of Hammurabi’s ruling ways. Hammurabi was a great ruler

That he could transform a small state into an Empire . It is referred to as the Old

Babylonian Empire. What made Hammurabi a special ruler is that he used different

ways of running the city. Most rulers of that time believed that power should be

based on force . and that wars were the only way to getting what they want. This

tells us that during that time , a lot of violence was present between cities and

kingdoms. Most rulers put all their resources and effort into preparing their armies

for war. Their ignorance caused hatred between people . And this really did not

benefit their kingdoms in anyway. The people at that time desperately needed a

change in the system . Hammurabi is very different to those other rulers . He used

other approaches to strengthen his kingdom . Approaches that were very much the

opposite of what was happening .He believed that military intelligence , diplomacy

and strategic planning is much more beneficial than an army . He also didn’t believe

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offence against other noblemen . The Hammurabi code also included laws that were

protective of women in their society . For example the right for a woman to divorce

her husband if he was abusive towards her. And that a husband is obligated to pay

financial support to his wife and child , if he plans on divorcing .

From the laws of Hammurabi , we can easily predict that at those times , laws were

tougher and more severe . And left no room for explanation . All the laws were

either black or white with no gray areas. Which must be tough with their urban

society . Although Hammurabi was a strong , smart ruler who helped Mesopotamia

achieve great goals .

Works Cited

Cole, Joshua, Carol Symes, Judith G. Coffin, and Robert C. Stacey. Western Civilizations: Their History and Their Culture. Third ed. Vol. 1. New York: W .W. Norton &, 2012. Print.