Primary Source Analysis Document: Hammurabi’s Law Code_ __
Author – Who created this? What do we know about the author? What might influence their opinions?
King of Babylon Hammurabi created this law code. He united Mesopotamia under his rule from 1800 to 1750 B.C.E. Hammurabi wanted his people to obey him and like him. He also wanted them to believe he made just, fair laws that would benefit the city.
Place – Where and when was it created
Hammurabi’s law code was created in 1790 B.C.E. The law code was discovered on a stone slab in Iran in 1901 C.E.
Prior Knowledge What do we know about where this was created? What have we learned about this topic? Society that may be relevant?
The Code of Hammurabi consisted of laws that read (for example) “If anyone brings an accusation against a man, and the accused goes to the river and leaps into the river, if he sinks in the river his accuser shall take possession of his house. But if the river proves that the accused is not guilty, and he escapes unhurt, then he who had brought the accusation shall be put to death, while he who leaped into the river shall take possession of the house that had belonged to his accuser.”It was found in 1901 by the Egyptologist named Gustave Jéquier. It was discovered in what is now Khūzestān, Iran. It is currently on display at the Louvre Museum in Paris, France.
Audience Who is the intended audience? How might they receive this? – quotes to support your claims?
The intended audience is the citizens of Babylonia who the laws applied to. The king Hammurabi enforced the law (which is how they received it). “When Marduk commanded me to give justice to the people of the land and to let [them] have [good] governance, I set forth truth and justice throughout the land [and] prospered the people.”
Reason for Creation What is the purpose of this document? Read between the lines, support claims with a quote
The purpose of the document is touse political power to create common ties among the diverse people of the Babylonian society at the time. “When Marduk commanded me to give justice to the people of the land and to let [them] have [good] governance, I set forth truth and justice throughout the land [and] prospered the people.”
The Main Idea Support with quotes
The main idea of Hammurabi’s Law Code is to be civil and follow the set of laws to live in a unified, righteous, fair city of Babylon. For example, “If a song strikes his father, they shall cut off his forehand.” And “If a man has put out the eye of a free man, they shall put out his eye.”
Significance How does this relate to the big picture? What can it tell us as historians? Relate to ESPIRIT if possible
It unified the empire by offering the principles for ethical values, class structure, gender relationships, and religion. It teaches us historians about the class divisions, political and economic factors of the Mesopotamian society. The law code is also the basis of our present day legal code.
Document: Hammurabi’s Law Code_ __
What do we know about where this was created? What have we learned about this topic? Society that may be relevant?
Who is the intended audience? How might they receive this? – quotes to support your claims?
What is the purpose of this document? Read between the lines, support claims with a quote
Support with quotes
How does this relate to the big picture? What can it tell us as historians? Relate to ESPIRIT if possible