Legacy of Legacy of MesopotamiaMesopotamia

Coach ParrishCoach Parrish

OMSOMS

Chapter 2, Section 3Chapter 2, Section 3

Hammurabi’s CodeHammurabi’s Code

CodeCode – organized list of laws that are – organized list of laws that are written down. written down.

Hammurabi – ruled Babylonia from Hammurabi – ruled Babylonia from about 1792 to 1750 BC.about 1792 to 1750 BC.

Hammurabi wrote his code so that Hammurabi wrote his code so that people in his empire would know people in his empire would know what is expected of them. Code what is expected of them. Code contains 282 laws.contains 282 laws.

Hammurabi’s CodeHammurabi’s Code

Hammurabi and ShamashHammurabi and Shamash

An Eye for an EyeAn Eye for an Eye

Hammurabi’s Code was based on the Hammurabi’s Code was based on the concept, “An eye for an eye.” This concept, “An eye for an eye.” This means that the punishment should means that the punishment should be similar to the crime.be similar to the crime.

Punishments were based on what Punishments were based on what class people were associated with. class people were associated with. For example, the higher the social For example, the higher the social class of the class of the victimvictim, the greater the , the greater the penalty was.penalty was.

An Eye for an EyeAn Eye for an Eye

Anyone who accidentally broke a law Anyone who accidentally broke a law was just as guilty as someone who was just as guilty as someone who intentionally broke a law. intentionally broke a law.

Quote on page 44 is an example of Quote on page 44 is an example of this.this.

Laws for EveryoneLaws for Everyone

Hammurabi’s Code was very Hammurabi’s Code was very important because it was written important because it was written down.down.

Hammurabi’s Code was the first Hammurabi’s Code was the first organized, recorded set of laws that organized, recorded set of laws that archaeologists have recovered.archaeologists have recovered.

The Art of Writing – Ancient The Art of Writing – Ancient ScribesScribes

Writing first developed in Sumer.Writing first developed in Sumer. Scribes were one of the most important Scribes were one of the most important

people groups in the ancient world people groups in the ancient world because very few people could write.because very few people could write.

Examples of scribe jobs:Examples of scribe jobs:

1.1. Recorded gifts to godsRecorded gifts to gods

2.2. Marriages and deathsMarriages and deaths

3.3. Record military suppliesRecord military supplies

A Record in ClayA Record in Clay

The Tigris and Euphrates Rivers The Tigris and Euphrates Rivers provided scribes with the clay they provided scribes with the clay they wrote on.wrote on.

The shape and size of the tablet The shape and size of the tablet depended on what was being depended on what was being recorded. Large tablets for recorded. Large tablets for dictionaries and smaller ones for dictionaries and smaller ones for postcards or letters.postcards or letters.

How Writing was InventedHow Writing was Invented

Writing was invented as a way to Writing was invented as a way to keep records. keep records.

CuneiformCuneiform – scribes combined – scribes combined symbols to make groups of wedges symbols to make groups of wedges and lines.and lines.

Cuneiform was useful because it Cuneiform was useful because it allowed many different languages to allowed many different languages to communicate.communicate.

Cuneiform TabletCuneiform Tablet