Hammurabi: Architect of Modern Law

Introduction

Hammurabi was an ancient ruler and the sixth king of the dynasty of Babylon, he was a celebrated, loved and rejoiced leader. Through his reign, Hammurabi was able to conquer all of Ancient Babylon by the end of his reign in 1750 BC. (2011, Hammurabi Code.) Hammurabi had brilliant military strategies, and was able to compile alliances and orchestrate detailed political maneuvers in order to reach his success. Looking at all of his advancements and accomplishments, the most renowned and important would be, the Code of Hammurabi, a set of codified laws which he made during his time in the Kingdom of Babylon. By creating the first set of organized laws, Hammurabi created a model which modern society has adhered to. Hammurabi based

It taught the basics and modern society twisted the specific laws, punishments and judgments to mold into our own. The theories and laws of Hammurabi had influence on political questions from Aristotle to John Locke’s time, the urging question which is the foundation of political thought is the reason why government and legislation is needed. Hammurabi’s thriving empire answered this by displaying power, great advancement and origins of rights and liberties when they established the codex. (2016, ideology.) For example, the law stating “eye for an eye” (2008, King L.W) has been changed to fit societal norms and many criminal systems precede their judgement on murder cases by long prison sentences or even the death penalty. The death penalty has also connecting origins from Hammurabi’s codes and is practiced in many countries in the world including China, Iran, Yemen and North Korea (2011, Rogers S.) The codex reveals the hierarchical culture of an aristocracy that was highly dependent on lower working class which is still intact in this day, this evokes the political ideologies on power and hierarchy. Our world today has been a pattern of succeeding societies, each learning from the other and making improvements, and additions as well as subtracting certain ideas for the ultimate goal of power.(2016, ideology) The laws also elaborate on various different

(2005, Bryan B.) In order for modern civilizations to run smoothly and effectively, there must be well organized punishments for crimes such as murder, theft, robbery, rape etc. The codex introduced punishments for these crimes that are perceived as relatively harsh today but were fitting 3000+ years. (2011, Hammurabi.) The laws also ranged from punishments and some required the criminal to be put to death and some for them to pay an amount to the community, for example "If anyone is committing a robbery and is caught, then he shall be put to death."#22 Code of Hammurabi. (2008, King L.W) is one that is very harsh. For the case of kidnapping, "If persons are stolen, then shall the community and . . . pay one mina of silver to their relatives.” #24 Code of Hammurabi. (2008, King L.W.) Today’s laws are not as severe and harsh but still require a punishment fit for robbery such as jail-time or prison time and the returning of a person for the crime of kidnapping. The set rules from the stela also introduced one of the earliest forms of a trial system, judges and the precedent of “innocent-till proven guilty” (2009, Hammurabi). When two sides had an argument or accused the other of committing a crime, the set protocol which was