Description
The Code of Hammurabi was the first unified code of law in the ancient world, and it influenced other systems of ancient law. The Code of Hammurabi is significant because it allowed all classes of society to read and understand the laws that governed their lives. However, not all citizens could expect equal justice under law as we understand the law today (this discussion satisfies COLAs #2 and #3).
After you have gone through the readings assigned for this lesson, please answer the following questions in a well structured and comprehensive answer. Please make sure to address ALL parts of the question. Remember: any information and ideas that do not come directly from your head MUST BE CITED in text and the full citations must be provided at the end of your answer.
After you’ve finished composing your answer, please read through the answers of your peers. Please write a thoughtful response to at least TWO posts from your peers. Please make sure to support your arguments with evidence in your own post, as well as in responses to your peers.
Please assume the role of a representative member of Mesopotamian society under Hammurabi. Here are your choices: •a woman •a child •a freeman •a judge •a slave
Given that there are five members of the society represented, please distribute them equally throughout the discussion. This means that no one character can be chosen more than 6 times. The rule of “first come, first serve” applies. In other words, the earlier you post, the more choice you have.
Please study the laws in the Code of Hammurabi from the perspective of your designated role, and, based on the laws as they relate to your role, please present the argument that can be made for or against the Code and its author as providing justice for your character. Specifically, focus on the questions below:
Based on the Code, what rights, responsibilities, and protections do you have?
From the point of view of your role, does the Code provide equality for you relative to other members of the society given the culture of the times and place? Please provide examples to support your answer.
Was it a just code in the context of the times and place? Cite specific examples from the Code to support your position.
Having studied the US history and politics, please provide at least two examples of laws or policies active at any point of the US history as a country that resemble some of the laws from the Code of Hammurabi. How are those laws similar? What does this comparison tell us about the relevance of the Code to its time and place?