Origins of Law

Origins of Law

King Hammurabi

King Hammurabi the lawgiver King of Babylon around 1790 BC Code of Hammurabi Set of laws Wanted everyone in his kingdom to know the

legal principles his government would follow

•Code of Hammurabi First important attempt by a ruler to codify, arrange and put in writing, all of the laws that would govern a state

‘Code of Hammurabi’ at the Louvre, Paris

Hammurabi’s Code

One section on Criminal law

• Robbery, assault, murder

• Code limited personal vengeance and encouraged social

order

Today, Hammurabi’s codes would seem very cruel.

•Crime and Punishment

’An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth´

‘A life for a life´ ???

Retribution, revenge

Medieval England• Law & order was very harsh• Small offence = serious punishment• The accused had to go through an ordeal

There were 3 Ordeals:

Fire

Water

Combat

Medieval England• Do you think the trial by ordeal was fair?

• In 1215, Pope told priests not to participate in ordeals

• Ordeals were replaced by trials by juries

• Found Guilty = severe punishment

A gibbet

Medieval England

What is Common Law?What is Statute Law?

Time for you to read and take notes