5.0 Code of Hammurabi€¦ · HAMMURABI •Laws of terms of a transaction, liability and damages, inheritance, divorce, paternity, military service… •Organized in groups by topic

CODE OF HAMMURABI

Social Studies 10| A. Morrison

OUTCOME

• 2.3 Demonstrate an understanding of the role of law in society and the contribution of the early civilizations to this development

• 2.9 Identify the contribution to civilizations of the Mesopotamians and Egyptians.

• 2.10 Identify the methods used by archaeologists to reconstruct the past.

CODE OF HAMMURABI

• Handout| Code of Hammurabi• Dates back to c. 1754 BCE• Created by Babylonian king,

Hammurabi • Considered the first legal code• Partial copies exist on a 7.5ft

stele• 282 laws based on justice and

retaliation

CODE OF HAMMURABI

• Laws of terms of a transaction, liability and damages, inheritance, divorce, paternity, military service…• Organized in groups by topic to make easy to learn.• First known example of presumption of innocence.• Allows both accuser and the accused to present their side.

VIDEO

• The Law Code Stele of King Hammurabi, Khan Academy (3:32)| https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JO9YxZYd0qY

ACTIVITY PT. 1

• In groups of 1-3:• Read the Code of Hammurabi

selection. You may underline, highlight, and annotate (make notes) on the sheet.• Answer the handout questions on

loose leaf (to be handed in).• You must provide a quote to

back up each answer.

Example: Religion was considered important to the Mesopotamians. This shows in how severe the punishment was for stealing from temples – both the thief and whoever he sold/gave the stolen goods to would die.“6. If any one steal the property of a temple or of the court, he shall be put to death, and also the one who receives the stolen thing from him shall be put to death.”

CO

DE

OF

HA

MM

UR

AB

IQ

UES

TIO

NS

Remember: you must provide a quote from the reading to back up your answer.

1. What does the introduction tell us about Hammurabi’s position in society? What does it tell us about his relationship to the gods?

2. Are the laws applied equally to all people? What do the various punishments and fines tell us about Mesopotamian social hierarchy?

3. Are the laws applied equally to men and women? What might they tell us about gender status in Mesopotamia?

4. What do the laws tell us about job division?5. Do you think the laws are fair? Why or why not?

ACTIVITY PT. 2

• Once you have finished your Code of Hammurabi questions, read textbook pages 54 ( start at “Religious Beliefs and Practices”) – 65 (stop at the end of “Trade”)

• As you read: note any information you learn about Mesopotamia that connects to the Code of Hammurabi reading and questions. Consider:

• Context: did you learn any information that answers questions you had about the reading?

• Evidence: does any of the information back up your answers to the questions? Does any of it prove your answers wrong?

Be prepared to share as a class discussion

END