Code Of Hummurabi :: Hummurabi Code of Law

In his position as King of Babylonia, Hammurabi managed to channelize the originations outset principle of laws and establish Babylon as the dominant and successful Amorite metropolis of its time. "Records written on clay tablets show that Hammurabi was a very undecided administrator and a successful warrior. His rule spanned from 1792 B.C. to 1750 B.C. When he became king in 1792, he was still young, but had already become entrusted with many authoritative duties in his administration" (Grolier). In the early years of his reign, Hammurabi mostly participated in traditional activities, such as repairing buildings, digging canals, and fighting wars. Yet later in his rule, Hammurabi organized a unique code of laws, the first of its kind, because making himself one of the worlds most influential leaders. Hammurabi was primarily influential to the world because of his code of laws. This code consisted of 282 provisions, systematically arranged nether a miscellany of sub jects. He sorted his laws into groups such as family, labor, personal property, real estate, trade, and business. This was the first time in history that any laws had been categorized into various sections. This stage of organization was emulated by civilizations of the future. For example, Semitic cultures succeeding Hammurabis rule used somewhat of the same laws that were included in Hammurabis code. Hammurabis method of thought is evident in present day societies which are influenced by his code. Modern governments currently realize specific laws, which are placed into their appropriate family of similar laws. Hammurabi had his laws recorded upon an eightsome foot high black stone monument. Hammurabi based his code on principles like, the strong should not injure the weak, and that penalization should fit the crime. As for punishment, " effectual actions were initiated under the code by written pleadings testimony was taken under oath. The code was severe in its penaltie s, prescribing "an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth.""(Grolier). This code of laws was able to be maintained by invoking the laterality of the gods and the state. Although the punishments were different than those of today, the authority of the state (government) is similar. Currently, punishments are issued through the states law enforcement system, comparable to the way punishment was determined and enforced in ancient Babylon. In the code, crimes punishable by death required a trial in front of a bench of judges. Included in these crimes were bigamy, incest, kidnapping, adultery and theft.