Question

The family laws in Hammurabi’s Code were

Answer 1

Hammurabi's Code, one of the earliest and most complete written legal codes from ancient Mesopotamia, included a set of laws related to family matters. The family laws in Hammurabi's Code covered various aspects of domestic life, marriage, and inheritance. Some key provisions related to family matters included:

Marriage and Divorce:

The Code outlined rules and regulations regarding marriage, specifying the rights and responsibilities of spouses. It also addressed issues related to divorce, including grounds for divorce and the rights of individuals involved.

Inheritance:

Hammurabi's Code included provisions concerning inheritance. It established rules for the distribution of property and wealth among family members, specifying the rights of heirs based on their relationship to the deceased.

Parental Authority:

The Code detailed the authority and responsibilities of parents, particularly the father, within the family structure. It addressed matters related to the upbringing and discipline of children.

Adultery:

Provisions in the Code addressed cases of adultery and outlined the legal consequences for individuals involved. Penalties for adultery could vary based on the social status of the individuals.

Property and Dowry:

The Code included regulations concerning property and dowry. It specified the rights of individuals in regard to property acquired during marriage and addressed the protection of dowries.

It's important to note that Hammurabi's Code reflected the social and cultural norms of ancient Babylon during the reign of King Hammurabi (around 1754–1790 BCE). The laws were inscribed on a stele (a large stone slab) and displayed in a public place, serving as a means of governing and regulating the society of that time. The family laws within the Code provided a framework for addressing various aspects of family life and relationships.

Step-by-step explanation:

Answer 2

Hammurabi's Code contained family laws that governed Babylonian society around 1780 BCE, emphasizing fairness and social status in legal matters. It provided different levels of rights and obligations for nobles, commoners, and slaves, as well as some protections for women, illustrating early principles of justice and equity.

Step-by-step explanation:

The family laws in Hammurabi's Code were a set of rules governing the rights and obligations of Babylonians inscribed on stone pillars by the Babylonian king Hammurabi around 1780 BCE. The code detailed legal protections based on social stratification, distinguishing between nobles (awelum), commoners (mushkenum), and slaves (wardum). It sought to ensure fairness and justice, where the severity of punishment often depended on one's social class. For instance, if a commoner caused harm to a noble, the penalty could be harsh as the noble was allowed to retaliate in kind. In contrast, a noble who caused harm to a commoner was typically required to pay a fine.

Despite the patriarchal nature of society at the time, Hammurabi's Code did afford women certain legal protections and rights. For example, it featured regulations that protected women from unfair loan terms and offered redress for damaged property. Moreover, it is noted for introducing advanced legal concepts for the time, such as the presumption of innocence and the importance of evidence. Inscribed on a stele, an image of Hammurabi receiving the laws from the sun-god Shamash is depicted, signifying its divine sanction. The Code aimed to 'bring about the rule of righteousness in the land' and to establish a societal order where 'the strong should not harm the weak.'