Code of Hammurabi

Posted: January 16th, 2014

The Code of Hammurabi was the first unified code of law in the ancient world. The Code of Hammurabi is significant because it allowed all classes of society to read and understand the laws that governed their lives. Could all citizens expect equal justice under the laws of Hammurabi?

In this discussion, we will conduct a mock trial of the Code of Hammurabi. You will assume the role of a representative member of Mesopotamian society under Hammurabi. Each student will assume the role of one of the following figures (your choice):

a woman

a child

a freeman

a judge

a slave

Hammurabi

Here’s the questions at hand in this trial: Did the Code achieve its goal to insure “right and justice throughout the land?” From the point of view of your role, does the Code protect rights and insure equity? Was it a just code in the context of the times? Cite specific examples from the Code to support your position.