Overview of the Hammurabi Codes

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The discovery and understanding of the Hammurabi Codes has been without doubt one of the most important events that has changed the world. The Hammurabi Codes were established by one of Babylons first kings named Hammurabi who reined for about 55 years he lived from 2123 to 2081 BCE. The reason for why he felt the need to establish the Hammurabi codes was because he wanted his people to live in a society where they could live in peace and feel safe and secure. So what are the Hammurabi Codes? Perhaps you have wondered how this society of ours got the ideas of how the law should represent their people today.
The Hammurabi Codes consists of 282 rules or laws that were established by one of Babylons first king Hammurabi. These laws were set to separate the wealthy from the poor and slaves. These laws were set to protect a free man’s property and to secure the slaveholders power over their slaves. Not only this, but the codes also established the standards for individuals disposing or gaining a new piece of property. If it dealt with a sale, barter, deposit, lease, or a loan it was all set with a contract.1 It was also all a matter of trust. The reason that contracts where important during this time was because if a purchase was made from an individual and it turned out that the item had been stolen and the original owner would show up claiming his property, the buyer had to show who and how he bought the property. If he could not show evidence of the purchase he would be put to death. This is why contracts where important during this time.2 If we think about it, we use contracts today anytime that we make any type of purchase. Even if it’s a piece of gum at the store, when we pay we receive a receipt that shows the time, place and ...

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.... http://www.mitchellteachers.org/WorldHistory/AncientEgyptNearEastUnit/ApplyingtheCodeHammurabiBabylonianCourtCases.html
Hermann, Claude and Johns, Walter. "Ancient History Sourcebook: Code of Hammurabi, c. 1780 BCE." Internet History Sourcebooks. Accessed May 23, 2014. http://www.fordham.edu/halsall/ancient/hamcode.asp
Prince Dyneley J. The Code of Hammurabi The American Journal of Theology, Vol. 8, No. 3 (Jul., 1904), pp. 601-609. The University of Chicago Press. Accessed 22 May, 2014. http://www.jstor.org/stable/3153895
The Great Soviet Encyclopedia, 3rd Edition. "Hammurabi, Code of." The Gale Group, Inc. Accessed 22 May. 2014 http://encyclopedia2.thefreedictionary.com/Hammurabi,+Code+of
Thompson, James C. . "Women in the Ancient World." “Women in Babylonia under the Hammurabi Law Code. Accessed May 22, 2014. http://www.womenintheancientworld.com/index.htm

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