king Hammurabi
After the fall of the Akkadians, The city of Sumer had to unite a new king. His name was Hammurabi. Hammurabi was the king of Babylon, a small city in the center of Mesopotamia. He made Babylon the capital of his city. After this, the region that he ruled became know as Babylonia.
Hammurabi is best know for his amazing code of laws, which he wrote form 1792 to 1750 B.C.E. He used his code of laws to unify his empire and to preserve order. He mostly based this set of laws on the gods. He said that the gods told him to create the laws. Sense they were based on gods, they could never be changed. These laws were places in a temple so everyone was able to see.
His set of laws were harsh and strict. One of the rules was that if a builder sold a poorly built house that collapsed and killed the owner, that builder would be put to death. And if the son was killed in the house, then the builders son would be put to death. Isn't that harsh?! These codes had punishments for stealing, causing someone an injury, and other crimes. The set of laws covered many situations that could have happened. For example, they covered trade, payment, divorce, and marriage.
Even though this set of laws did not treat everyone equally (in terms of laws and punishments), it was one of Hammurabi's biggest accomplishments. Plus, they applied to everyone.
Hammurabi is best know for his amazing code of laws, which he wrote form 1792 to 1750 B.C.E. He used his code of laws to unify his empire and to preserve order. He mostly based this set of laws on the gods. He said that the gods told him to create the laws. Sense they were based on gods, they could never be changed. These laws were places in a temple so everyone was able to see.
His set of laws were harsh and strict. One of the rules was that if a builder sold a poorly built house that collapsed and killed the owner, that builder would be put to death. And if the son was killed in the house, then the builders son would be put to death. Isn't that harsh?! These codes had punishments for stealing, causing someone an injury, and other crimes. The set of laws covered many situations that could have happened. For example, they covered trade, payment, divorce, and marriage.
Even though this set of laws did not treat everyone equally (in terms of laws and punishments), it was one of Hammurabi's biggest accomplishments. Plus, they applied to everyone.