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Scales of Justice

Hammurabi


 California Standard 6.2.4 Know the significance of Hammurabi's Code. 

Hammurabi ruled Babylon from about 1792 B.C. to 1750 B.C. While he was king, the city-state of Babylon grew into a large empire. Although he was the king, Hammurabi paid attention to every detail, no matter how great or small. He personally directed irrigation and building projects. To keep the economy healthy, he focused on trade, agriculture, and tax collection.Scales of justice

Hammurabi is best known for his written code of laws, called the Code of Hammurabi. The rules of the code were carved into a black stone monument. He believed that by writing the code, everyone would know what rules must be followed. In this system, he felt everyone would receive fair treatment.

Explore History

Under Hammurabi's rule, the empire grew many times larger. The pink area shows the empire when he became king and the purple area shows the empire when he died.

The Big Picture

Although some of the laws seem harsh today, the Code was important because everyone had the same rules. Read the first 50 laws of Hammurabi's Code and learn about some of the concerns of people of that time.

Primary Sources

The illustration at the top of the stone monument, called a stele, with the code of laws tells a story, too. Shamash, the supreme sun god gives Hammurabi a rod and ring, symbols of authority. This carving adds to the authority of the king and, therefore, of the code.