The Law Code Stele of King Hammurabi

General Information

• Located in the Louvre, Paris.
• Originates from the Babylonian Kingdom (modern-day Iraq).
• Nearly 4,000 years old.
• Popular due to its historical significance in law as a founding principle of civilization.

Description of the Stele

• A stele is a tall, carved object.
• Carved in relief at the top; inscribed with cuneiform on all sides.
• Written in Akkadian, the court language of the Babylonians.

Structure of the Text

• Prologue:

  • Describes the Investiture of Hammurabi.
  • Shows King Hammurabi facing the god Shamash, the sun god and god of justice.
  • Shamash is depicted with a horned crown and emanating flames.
  • Composite view: frontal shoulders, profile face (common in Ancient Near-Eastern art).
  • Shamash sits on a throne with mountains beneath, rising from them daily.
  • Shamash bestows a scepter and ring to Hammurabi, symbolizing divine authority.

• Main Body:

  • Contains more than 300 laws.
  • Laws are based on previous judgments, serving as legal precedents.
  • Format: action and consequence (e.g., if a house collapses and kills the owner, the builder is executed).
  • Includes the concept akin to "an eye for an eye."

• Epilogue:

  • Speaks about the king's legacy and the importance of his rule.

Historical Context

• One of the few largely intact examples of law-recording steles.
• Provides insights into Babylonian culture, emphasizing agriculture, family life, and societal tensions.
• Highlights the advanced nature of Mesopotamian civilization.
• Reflects the significance of maintaining civil society and ensuring crop yields.

Cultural Significance

• Reminds us of the contributions of ancient Mesopotamian civilizations.
• Emphasizes the ongoing relevance and conflict in the region today.