Final answer:
Hammurabi's biggest contribution to modern Western civilization is his legal code, which established foundational legal principles, including the fair and consistent administration of justice. The Code of Hammurabi detailed laws on a variety of societal issues and introduced 'an eye for an eye' principle. It influenced later legal systems and demonstrated the importance of codifying laws for public knowledge and accountability.
Step-by-step explanation:
Hammurabi's Contribution to Modern Western Civilization
Hammurabi, the sixth king of the First Babylonian Dynasty, reigned from approximately 1792 BCE to 1750 BCE. One of his most enduring contributions to modern Western civilization was the creation of his legal code, often referred to simply as Hammurabi's Code. This code was one of the first written codifications of laws in human history. Its influence is evident in many later legal systems, including Western law. The Code of Hammurabi detailed laws that addressed a wide range of societal issues, such as crimes, justice, and property rights, setting out specific punishments for various offenses based on the principle of lex talionis ("an eye for an eye").
The legal principles laid down in Hammurabi's code played a foundational role in the development of modern legal systems by establishing the concepts of justice and the rule of law. The code was inscribed in the Akkadian language on an impressive stele made of diorite, and it was placed in a public space to be seen by all. At its top, Hammurabi is depicted receiving the legal code from the sun god Shamash, demonstrating the perceived divine authorization for his laws. The stele itself represents a profound legacy, signifying the importance of written records and the administration of centralized authority through a codified set of rules.
Although ancient, the ideals encapsulated in the Code of Hammurabi, such as the protection of the weak from the strong and the provision of justice, continue to resonate in modern legal philosophies and practices. It is considered a precursor to more complex legal systems that would emerge centuries later, and it has left a lasting imprint on the structure and concept of law and order in contemporary societies.