The Gortyn law code was a series of civil laws in use at around 450 B.C.E in modern day Crete . Unlike the name suggests these laws were not a code, but specific ad hoc responses to crisis as they occurred in Gortyn and surrounding areas . The writing itself focuses on civil laws such as divorce, rape and property rights. The majority of punishments for crimes in Gortyn were monetary rather than physical pain or imprisonment, like other city states in ancient Greece. The laws themselves can also shed light on other law practices throughout Greece at this time, as many law makers would visit Gortyn and study the inscriptions. However, due to the vast differences between many city states as well as change over time there are many differences …show more content…
The original inscriptions are thought to be around 600 lines that were spread over 12 columns, all located around a building 100 feet in diameter . Meaning that it is now considered the oldest and most complete example of a code of ancient Greek law . It runs in a tradition of Cretan law which as a whole represents the only large collection of Greek law from antiquity outside Athens. Therefore, the code itself can be fairly easily compared with Athenian law, as well as the punishments in the Athenian judicial system. Due to some of the conservative elements, as well as the oral tradition common in Ancient Greek societies, it is thought that some, if not many, of the laws present in the code have been passed down from previous generations. Consequently, it can be inferred that due to the post hoc nature of the text in addition to oral tradition, many of the laws of the code could have been influenced by other …show more content…
In Gortyn rape was illegal, whereas in the city state of Sparta during a similar period the rape of an individual women was not a crime and the rape of women by young men was even encouraged . Under Draconian law in Ancient Greece rape was similar to that of Sparta in that it wasn’t illegal. However, the consent of women during sex was irrelevant to Draconian law who saw it was a man’s responsibility to take what he could if he was in the position of power . However, as time passed in certain societies, such as Athens and Gortyn, rape was made illegal, the punishments for this crime did differ between societies and social classes. In Gortyn rape was punished by fines. The fine of slaves for committing a rape was double that of rape committed by a free person, whereas the punishment for rape committed by a free person on a slave or apetairoi was one tenth what it would be for raping a free person . Athenian law punished rape far more seriously, with both Plato and Aristotle both mention any man who violates a women may be killed by the women, her father, brother or son . This one example helps show the differing social and political rights of both male and female citizens in different social classes in Gortyn. It also aids to display a crucial social custom in Ancient Greece that is acceptable, and expected for close male relatives to protect and seek
Two ancient examples of disobedient actions come from different ages revered for standards that hold today and provide a basis for modern law; the Greek and ancient Roman empires. From the Greeks, we have come to know the story of Socrates as memorialized by Plato, and the Roman age was the time of Perpetua, an early Christian woman. The fate of those individuals is the same – a death sentence handed down by the society they lived in. Although the conclusion of their respective lives is the same, the differences that lie in the reasoning of their death run deeper, with several key factors impacting their individual destiny. As we will see, these factors affect their relationship to the states and time periods they existed.
We as people have always searched for a code of morals and conduct. It is what has held empires, nations, and families from falling into chaos. This is what the code of Hammurabi and the law of Moses instituted in maintaining order. Both laws have a strong foundation and way of promoting justice that rivals many systems today in regards to effectiveness. Many of the laws given were later used in future governments. There are many similarities and differences between these documents, and this analysis will share some of the those. These two documents provide rich resources and were made for two specific peoples because of women’s rights found in the code, the consequences of actions when violating code, and the vision of the laws created.
In document (C) there are 2 laws that should not be laws due to the unfair reason of this law. Law 129 states that if a married lady is caught [in adultery] with another man, they shall bind them and cast them into the water. That shouldn’t be a law because one woman in Babylon are sold in auctions so they might not like their husband. Also the man they are caught with might not know she is married, that is why that law has an unfair reason. Law 195 states that if a son strikes his father, his hands shall be caught off. This is an unfair reason because hitting your father is not a big enough deal to be a law. These laws are unfair because they have unfair reasons to
There are 282 laws which include harsh laws, where punishment was severe. Most of the laws were punishable by death. These laws regulate the organization of the society. Even if a judge makes a stupid or careless mistake, he will be expelled for lifetime and heavily fined. Also, the witness who testifies falsely shall be killed. A good example is the “An eye for an eye”, it states that if a man put out the eye of another man, his eyeball shall be put out. If a person was caught stealing he shall be put to death. Some laws, even with children were dealt very brutally. If a son strikes his father, his forehead shall be cut off. If a slave says to his master, you are not my master my master if they convict him, his master shall cut off his ear. If ...
The ‘Law Code of Gortyn’ was a legal code regulating civil life in the ancient Greek city-state of Gortyn (southern Crete). The code was inscribed during
Hammurabi’s Code provides evidence for early documents that signify law and order. For instance, Hammurabi’s says in his code if a man wrongs another with his false accusations, he shall be subjected to death (1, 3). His laws illustrate a judicial system in which someone has to pay someone that they wronged in either the same way that they wronged him or through money depending on the person’s social status. It is also said in his code of law that there were penalties for those who disobeyed his laws. For example, Hammurabi says, “If that man do not pay attention to my words…may the great god, the father of the gods, ...
The author of the Code also makes some key assumptions while writing his laws. Hammurabi must assume that the members of his kingdom have the same values and morals that he does. He writes as if everyone will agree with each law written, and makes no provision for members of society to disagree with him. Hammurabi also assumes that the punishment he prescribes will be enough to deter crime and prevent repeat offenders. When prescribing the incentives given to doctors, Hammurabi made assumptions about how much money it would take to encourage doctors to practice medicine and shipbuilders to build ships.
The Twelve Tables were the first laws ever written down and shown to the public in Ancient Rome. The Twelve Tables were displayed in the Roman Forum or marketplace. The Twelve Tables were also the earliest surviving writings of Ancient Rome.
The ancient criminal justice system existed as codes of law that were written copies of moral and social precedents carved into stone or clay tablets and displayed in public areas. In 1750 B.C. the Babylonian king Hammurabi had his code of law and means of punishment engraved into a large stone tablet topped with an image depicting God handing him the law. Ancient codes of law did not rely on rational or scientific detention to determine if the accused had committed the crime. Babylonians believed the river would be the judge of the crime and tested their power by throwing the accused individual into the Tigris or Euphrates river. If they could swim they were free however if they drowned they were guilty.
Written c. 450, the first written code of Roman law. For Summary, see Prof. Adams' Handout.
The twelve tables of the roman law a document detailing laws in Ancient rome that the people went by. Code of Hammurabi was harsh penalties document in Babylon during king Hammurabi reign. Code of Assura document penalizing women for cheating or hitting husband but if proven men were also found guilty. All these laws help as a hole to shape today’s world. twelve table of Rome and code of Assura, Hammurabi are different as twelve table of rome is democratic law and allowed to defend yourself in court while code of Assura, Hammurabi is to break law you are given harsh penalties and man was seen higher than women.
Due to the constraint of the plebeians, the council of decemviri “was created with the task of regularizing and publishing the laws” (Spielvogel 118). The outcome of this was the creation of the Twelve Tables, published around 450 B.C. which only “led to further agitation from the plebeians” (Spielvogel 118). The benefits of this were t...
Solon’s laws were obscure and ambiguous (Plutarch). The court, therefore, and wide powers of interpretation. This gave a significant amount of power even to the thetes. Before a matter could be submitted to the public for vote, it had to be approved by the Council of 400 (Plutarch).
There are many traditions and values that the people of Ancient Greece followed very closely. These acts, such as, hospitality and respect for one’s peers are usually overlooked by gods and goddesses. The people are expected follow these traditions or they may feel wrath from a god or goddess.
When you think of ancient Greece, you probably think of togas, polytheism, epic heros, and olives. But do you how women were treated or veiwed? There is quite a lot of evidence displayed throughout manyplays, epics and other documents. Oedipus the King and The Odyssey are two ancient Greek works of literature that exemplify their society perfectly. Ancient Greece was a patriarchial society where women were treated as objects and sex symbols and misogyny was often present.