Code of Hammurabi Composition
Composition of Hammurabi’s Code
The divine origin of the written law is emphasized by a bas-relief in which the king is depicted receiving the code from the sun god, Shamash. The quality most usually associated with this god is justice. The code is set down in horizontal columns of cuneiform writing: 16 columns of text on the main side and 28 on the back. The text begins with a prologue that explains the extensive restoration of the temples and religious cults of Babylonia and Assyria.
The code itself, composed of 28 paragraphs, seems to be a series of amendments to the common law of Babylonia, rather than a strict legal code. It begins with direction for legal procedure and the statement of penalties for unjust accusations, false testimony, and injustice done by judges; then follow laws concerning property rights, loans, deposits, debts, domestic property, and family rights. The sections covering personal injury indicate that penalties were imposed for injuries sustained through unsuccessful operations by physicians and for damages caused by neglect in various trades. Rates are fixed in the code for various forms of service in most branches of trade and commerce. (1)
In this Section: Code, Ancient Codes, Code Development, British codes, U.S. codes, International Codes, Code Napoleon and Code of Hammurabi (including Code of Hammurabi Composition and Code of Hammurabi Nature).
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