Final answer:
The Code of Hammurabi introduced written laws that were to be applied to everyone but included varying punishments based on social status. It established that laws come from the government and made them publicly available for all to know.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Code of Hammurabi was an ancient set of laws enacted by the Babylonian King Hammurabi around 1754 BC. Among other things, the Code is notable for several key principles:
- It established that justice originated from the authority of the government, not solely from the gods, suggesting a transition from divine to more secular law.
- Laws were standardized and written down so that people were aware of the rules and their associated punishments.
- The concept of Rule of Law emerged, indicating that laws applied to everyone, but it is important to note that punishments varied depending on social status. Higher social classes often received lighter punishments than lower classes or slaves.
Overall, Hammurabi's Code was innovative in making laws public and suggesting a form of legal equality, even as it maintained social disparities in how those laws were applied.