Hammurabi's Code Establishes the Rule of Law
Hammurabi's Code Establishes the Rule of Law is a Grade 6 social studies topic in Pengi Social Studies, Chapter 2: The Early Civilizations of the Near East and Africa, covering the world's oldest surviving law code. King Hammurabi of Babylon carved his laws onto a public stone stele, covering trade, family, and crime, establishing the rule of law. The code used the principle of an eye for an eye but applied punishments differently based on social class.
Key Concepts
Hammurabi’s most famous achievement was his Code of Laws , carved onto a stone stele for all to see. It covered trade, family, and crime, establishing the rule of law —the idea that laws apply to everyone.
However, the laws reflected social hierarchy . Punishments were based on the principle of "an eye for an eye," but they were harsher for commoners than for the wealthy.
Common Questions
What is Hammurabi's Code?
Hammurabi's Code is one of the world's earliest written law codes, created by King Hammurabi of Babylon around 1754 B.C.E. It contained nearly 300 laws covering trade, property, family, and crime, and was publicly displayed on a stone stele.
What does an eye for an eye mean in Hammurabi's Code?
The phrase 'an eye for an eye' means that punishment should match the crime. In Hammurabi's Code, if someone injured another person, they would receive the same injury. However, the harshness of punishment also varied by social class.
What is the rule of law?
The rule of law is the principle that laws apply to everyone equally and protect people from arbitrary treatment. Hammurabi's Code was an early example because it was written, public, and applied to all people in the Babylonian Empire.
How does Pengi Social Studies Grade 6 cover Hammurabi's Code?
The Pengi Social Studies Grade 6 textbook covers Hammurabi's Code in Chapter 2: The Early Civilizations of the Near East and Africa, explaining how written laws helped establish order and the principle of equal justice in Babylon.
How did Hammurabi display his laws?
Hammurabi had his laws carved onto a tall stone pillar called a stele and placed in public places. This made the laws visible to everyone and was meant to show that justice was consistent and available for all people to see.