Question

Test Early Humans, Mesopotamia, and Egypt

Code of Hammurabi, Article 251:
"If an ox be a goring (charging with horns) ox, and it is shown that he is a gorer (horned animal that charges in a dangerous way), and he does not bind his horns, or fasten the ox up, and the ox gores a free-born man and kills him, the owner shall pay one-half a mina in money."

According to the excerpt, the owner of an ox that gores a man must pay money if:

A. It is known that the ox is a gorer.

B. The man binds the ox's horns.

C. An enslaved person is harmed.

D. The ox dies.

Answer 1

The owner of an ox must pay if the ox is known to be a gorer, indicating responsibility for preventing harm from their animals.

Step-by-step explanation:

According to Article 251 of the Code of Hammurabi, the owner of an ox that gores a man must pay money if it is known that the ox is a gorer and the owner fails to take preventive measures such as binding the ox's horns or securing the animal.

Therefore, the correct answer is A: It is known that the ox is a gorer. The provided legal text suggests that there was an expectation of responsibility upon animal owners to prevent harm, especially if an animal had a history of dangerous behavior.