Hammurabi’s Code - Was It Just?

Could you imagine having your hands cut off just for smacking you father? This was one of the 282 laws in Hammurabi’s Code that were a little extreme, but let me assure you most of them were adequately fair. Hammurabi was the 6th king of Babylon. While king he made a stone stele called Hammurabi’s Code which was a list of laws. Was this code just? The reasons why Hammurabi’s Code was just are because of family law, property law, and personal injury law.

The first reason why Hammurabi’s Code was just is because of family law. In Document C, Law #148, it asserts, “If a man has married a wife and a disease has seized her, if he is determined to marry a second woman they must live with her until she dies.” It also declares in Document C, Law #168, “ If a man is determined to to cut of his son, the judge shall inquire into the sons past, if the son has not committed a grave misdemeanor the father shall not disown his son.” After reading these laws, I feel like if I were put into either of those situations I would not argue with the laws.

Another reason why Hammurabi’s Code was just is because of property law. In Document D, Law #48, it says, “If a man has borrowed money to plant crops and a storm floods his field in that same year he does not have pay back the money.” In Document D, Law # 53 and 54, it states, “ If a man has opened his trench for irrigation and the water floods a neighboring field the man must restore the crop he has caused to be lost. These laws cause me to believe that these laws were just because if I were in that same position I would not feel like I was treated unfairly in any way.

The last reason why Hammurabi’s Code was just is because of personal injury law. In document E, law #209 it says, “ If a man strikes a daughter of a free man and causes her to lose the fruit of her womb, he shall pay 10 shekels of silver.” In document E, law #215 it says, “If a surgeon has operated with a bronze