Hammurabi :: Essays Papers

Hammurabi Of the many law work outs surviving from the ancient nerve East, perhaps the most famous is the Code of Hammurabi, sixth King of the Amorite Dynasty of aged Babylon. Today, the code, engraved in stone takes on a unique represent as a piece of art. However, decoded it is clear that this stone was obeyed and served as a sort of political propaganda.The noted stone found in 1901 by French archeologists, now rests in the Paris Louvre where it is preserved from moisture and natural decomposition. The raw material consists of an 8 ft. tall block of sinister basalt engraved with cuneiform. It clearly intended to be observed in public. The vast size of this rock was a sign of strength and authority and its slanted coloration an ominous warning. At the top is a depiction of Hammurabi receiving the code from Shamash the sun god or god of justice. In this picture the cardinal men are the same size, which symbolizes Hammurabis power being agree to that of the gods. Be low this is a prologue praising Hammurbais wisdom and power. To further its genuineness the law code was in those days regarded as subject for prayer, though the prayers here are chiefly cursings of whoever shall neglect or destroy the law.The field of the code regulates in clear and definite strokes the organization of society and the rough-cut punishment for crimes. For example, the witness who testifies falsely is to be slain. Indeed, more serious crimes were penal with death. If a man builds a house poorly, and it falls and kills the owner, the builder is to be slain. If the owners son is killed, the builders son is slain. The melodic theme of eye for an eye, tooth for a tooth could not be debated.