Question

Why is the Code of Hammurabi significant to Western Civilization?

A) It made attorneys a necessary part of the legal system in ancient Babylon.
B) It was largely forgotten for centuries.
C) It proves that women are worth less than men.
D) Law and order in the Western world was based loosely on Hammurabi's Code for centuries.

Answer 1

The Code of Hammurabi is significant because it introduced foundational legal principles and provided a detailed legal code that influenced later civilizations' concepts of law and order.

Step-by-step explanation:

The Code of Hammurabi is significant to Western Civilization because it represents one of the earliest and most complete written legal codes, influencing the concept of law and order in later civilizations. Established around 1780 BCE by the Babylonian king Hammurabi, the code provided detailed rights and obligations and sought fairness, including legal protections for various members of society such as women and slaves.

Although the code created differing legal statuses among social classes, it introduced foundational legal principles like the presumption of innocence and proportionate punishment, exemplified by the lex talionis principle—or the law of retaliation, commonly phrased as "an eye for an eye." Moreover, the code's longevity and clarity made it a cornerstone for subsequent legal systems, thus impacting the legal tenets in Western society.