Laws of the Past

Do you think the laws we have now are unfair? If you do date back to the 18th century BCE and focus on Hammurabi and his code. Hammurabi was the king of a small city state named Babylon. He ruled about 1,000,000 people for 42 years. He created a code with 282 laws that were carved on a stone called a stele. The code of Hammurabi was used by all different people including the Assyrians. Was Hammurabis code just? Hammurabis code was not just because of its family laws, property laws, and personal injury laws. In Hammurabis code he had included many family laws. Hammurabis family laws were unjust which is seen through severe punishments. Family life was a major part of the Babylonian society and was one reason why it was included in Hammurabis Code. In law 29 about adultery, “ If a married lady is caught in adultery with another man they shall bind them and cast them into the water” ( Doc C). This shows that if a wife is caught cheating than she and the cheater will be severely punished by being drowned. This is unfair because a person should not be put to death for loving somebody and disliking somebody else. In law 195 about striking a father, “ If a son strikes his father, his hands shall be cut off” ( Doc C). This shows that if a son hits his dad he will lose his hands. It also shows that men were more respected back then than women which is unjust because they are both humans and they both have to do work to support a family, the husband isn't the only one. To conclude Hammurabis consequences for each crime were very unfair to people and were too harsh. Hammurabi had made many property laws in his code. Hammurabi had made the consequences for crimes very harsh and also very unfair to the victim. Property laws were put into t... ... middle of paper ... ...lose a body part for making a mistake. It is also harsh because they don't give the surgeon a second chance. To conclude, Hammurabi was very unfair to all people in all different aspects when it comes to personal injuries. Hammurabis code was unjust because of its family laws, property laws, and personal injury laws. The most unjust laws in Hammurabis code are the family laws. They are the most unfair because most of the consequences involve death or a loss of a body part. Family laws are unfair because of the harsh consequences that are faced after committing a crime. Property laws are unfair because the victim is also faced with unfair consquences, and personal injury laws are unfair because the bad treatment to women. In conclusion, when Hammurabi made his code to make Babylonia civil they were very unfair and unjust in many ways. Works Cited Hammurabis code