Transcript The Code of Hammurabi reflected Babylonian values

The Code of
Hammurabi
How they reflected
Babylonian values
(and our own!)
Code of Hammurabi
Person was innocent
until proven guilty
(if found guilty,
harsh punishment)
Code of Hammurabi
Honesty is #1.
If you’re caught
lying…harsh punishment.
Code of Hammurabi
Hierarchical
different forms (levels)
of punishment—
according to social
class—for same crimes.
Code of Hammurabi
Rights of individuals
come second to the
good of the
group/government
(Civil Duty)
What’s it got to do with me?
Code of Hammurabi set the standard for
all future societies
 Legal scholars call it the first great legal
document of civilization

Taken from Junior Scholastic, “Laying Down the Law”, September 18, 2006, p.16-17.
Umm…So what?

Think of what life would be like without
laws
– Without traffic laws?
– Without food preparation laws?

Think what it would be like with no
punishments
– What might happen when you get mad?
If there were no
written down laws…

Life would be different!
– People might behave in ways that would
cause you harm (physically and emotionally)
– Your ‘stuff’ might be destroyed/taken
– People with different personalities/talents
might have it better (or worse!) than you

Would it be more or less fair than
‘nowadays’? You be the JUDGE!
(hee hee)
Cause & Effect!
 Laws
= rules + punishment
– Rules = tell you how to behave
– Punishment = what will happen if you
don’t follow the rules
Cause & Effect!

When rules ARE followed:
– Everyone’s behavior is predictable and
acceptable
– life is kept in order

When rules AREN’T followed:
– Everyone’s behavior is unpredictable and
unacceptable
– life is chaotic