Those were ancient moral guides. The Code’s importance as a reflection of Babylonian society is indisputable. Hammurabi’s laws were established to be the “laws of Justice” intended to clarify the rights of any “oppressed man.” Mesopotamia society under the Hammurabi code was one of strict penalties for criminal offenses with punishment severe and varied according to the wealth of the individual. Hammurabi’s rigidly centralized ruling system prospered from tribute and taxes, which he used to both compensate state dependents and finance extensive state irrigation and building projects. The code also gives us a clear sense of the ways ancient Babylonians invested divine authority in their secular leaders.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *