Mesopotamia and Hammurabi’s Code
Description
After studying Hammurabi’s Code, we can identify many similarities and differences with our own set of laws that govern this country. Your assignment is to analyze and compare the laws of American society with Hammurabi’s code. This should not be, however, just a listing of points. You should point out similarities that might contradict our “democratic” society, or define our freedom as Americans in vast contrast to restrictions of ancient Babylonian culture.
Here are some questions you may want to consider: Who or what determines the criteria of fair penalties for crimes? Why is there a need to create laws in society? How would ancient Babylonian concepts of law compare to modern situations (i.e. drugs, gangs, sexual assaults, internet fraud, money laundering, etc.)?
How was the enforcement of the code a means of unifying Hammurabi’s empire? How is our justice system compared in fairness with Hammurabi’s code? This should be a very through and detailed response.
