Final answer:
The central idea behind Hammurabi's Code is advocating fairness and proportionate punishment. The code aimed to prevent injustice by ensuring punishment matched the crime, but it was also influenced by the prevailing social hierarchy, applying penalties differently based on class.
Step-by-step explanation:
Understanding Hammurabi's Code
The central idea behind Hammurabi's Code, often encapsulated by the phrase "an eye for an eye," is C) Advocating fairness and proportionate punishment. This legal principle was intended to ensure that retribution for a crime was fair and equivalent to the damage caused, which in turn aimed to prevent an endless cycle of escalating vengeance. The Code of Hammurabi was one of the earliest attempts at structuring a legal system that was clear and provided order in society. Notably, it included the presumption of innocence and the use of evidence in the legal process.
It is important to recognize, however, that the Code of Hammurabi did not apply equally to all social classes. Different punishments and expectations were set based on a person's position within society. While the principle of equivalence in punishment did mirror the severity of the crime, it was also adjusted according to the social status of both the perpetrator and the victim. For instance, harming a person of a higher class could result in a more severe penalty than if the roles were reversed.
Aspects such as social hierarchy played a significant role in Hammurabi's legal system. This historical context helps us understand that while the Code of Hammurabi made strides towards a fair justice system, it also reflected and codified the social inequalities of its time.