;-
ACuneiformtablet with the text of the
introductionto the Codeof Hammurabi
Cruel
in the
scholars'think
Somehistorians and
were cruel and
Hammurabi's laws
laws
,*i"t,. TheYsaYthe
often
::"liltf"ivioient
;;,h,
Punishments'
for nonviolent crimes "
. requiredd'ifferentPY*.:h1:i:11:l
sooal
different
accusedPersonsof
classes
from an
. allowed no exPlanation
accusedPerson'
this cruelty'
-iu* of the laws reflect
Some
accuses
'.
3: IJ someonefalselY
"soie"ori
tr certain crimes' then
"it"
i'r" tt uUbe Put to death'
E'i+
:i
;-;.1
H
1-1
;;;;:;,;,ffi_"{
'. Law 22:'lf someone is caughtbe
then he shall Put
;ili;;;rY,
to death'
his father'
-. Law 195:If a son strikes
off'
hands shall be cut
;;;;;;'
man
-. Law 2}Zzlfsomeonestrikes-a
be
heshall
#il;i;r rank'then
**P?"U 60timesin Public'
Checkingfor Understanding
1. Why do somepeoplethink
Hammurabi's
lawswerefair?
2. Why do othersthink the [aws
werecruel?
3. Werethe lawsfair or cruet?Take
the roleof a historian.
Writea
briefessaythat explainshow
you view Hammurabi's
[aws.
Besureto usefactsto support
your position.You
cancompare
Hammurabi's
lawsto our
modernlawsto supportyour
argument.