Hammurabi's+Code+Discussion+Activity


 * Directions: Read the text and answer the following discussions questions on the posting board. Once you have answered the questions, respond to two other postings. Use my example to help you. **

** 1. **** In 3-5 sentences, do you think Hammurabi’s code was a good code of law? Explain why or why not using ** ** evidence from the text ** ** 2. **** If a person commits murder do you think they should receive the death penalty? Explain in 3-5 sentences. **

In 1790 BC, Hammurabi, a Babylonian king wrote the world’s first large collection of laws. Hammurabi wrote the laws onto stone pillars in the center of town so that all of his people would know the law and be expected to follow it.

An “eye for an eye” is the core principal of Hammurabi’s code. If some one does something to you, you have the right to do it to them. For example if someone breaks your arm then you have the right to break their arm. According to Hammurabi’s code murderers should be put to death in the same way that they committed murder. Hammurabi believed that harsh punishments would prevent people from committing crimes. This code of laws is based on the idea that fear of punishment is the best way to prevent crimes and create a safe society. If one individual hurts another, that individual should be made to feel the pain that he caused. A criminal’s punishment should reflect his crime. Punishing a man for his crimes is the only way to make sure justice is served.

Opponents of Hammurabi’s code have claimed that an “eye for an eye” creates more violence. These people argue Hammurabi’s code was brutal because it allowed criminals to be killed in horrible ways. Many people feel, that it should be the role of a government to protect people not become murderers. It has also been argued that threats of violence such as the death penalty do not really discourage people from committing crimes. Hammurabi’s code might actually lead to more crime because it condones violence.

According to Hammurabi’s code a person with wealth and property could pay a fine instead of being punished with violence. For example, if a rich man hits a man with his car and cripples him, the rich many can pay a fine instead of being crippled. However, the poor did not have this option. The poor could not buy their way out of punishment. Hammurabi’s code crated an unfair system of law that gave the rich special privileges.

Hammurabi’s code is the world’s oldest written code of law. It has been used by many civilizations and is the basis for the legal systems of many societies.