The Code of Hammurabi vs
The Twelve Tables
Similarities
• Death sentences were common for
many crimes, even stealing
•
Code of Hammurabi Essay. (2016). Retrieved July 08, 2016, from
http://www.bookrags.com/essay-2003/10/26/95922/248/#gsc.tab=0
• People from different social classes
were not allowed to marry each
other
•
(n.d.). Retrieved July 08, 2016, from
http://creately.com/diagram/example/hs859lvs1/Comparing Hammurabi’s Code of
Laws and the Law of the 12 Tables
The Code of Hammurabi vs
The Twelve Tables
Similarities
• Women were inferior to men
•
(n.d.). Retrieved July 08, 2016, from
http://creately.com/diagram/example/hs859lvs1/Comparing Hammurabi’s Code of
Laws and the Law of the 12 Tables
The Code of Hammurabi vs
The Twelve Tables
Differences
• The Twelve Tables only had 12
laws while the Code of
Hammurabi had almost 300 laws
•
(n.d.). Retrieved July 08, 2016, from
http://creately.com/diagram/example/hs859lvs1/Comparing Hammurabi’s Code of
Laws and the Law of the 12 Tables
• The Twelve Tables originated
from Rome while the Code of
Hammurabi originated from
Babylon
•
(n.d.). Retrieved July 08, 2016, from
http://creately.com/diagram/example/hs859lvs1/Comparing Hammurabi’s Code of
Laws and the Law of the 12 Tables
The Code of Hammurabi vs
The Twelve Tables
Differences
• Rules were the same for
everyone in the Twelve Tables
while rules were different
according to social class in the
Code of Hammurabi
•
(n.d.). Retrieved July 08, 2016, from
http://creately.com/diagram/example/hs859lvs1/Comparing Hammurabi’s Code of
Laws and the Law of the 12 Tables
The Code of Hammurabi
(2009). Retrieved July 08, 2016, from http://www.history.com/topics/ancient-history/hammurabi
• 282 Edicts
• Followed the doctrine of “an eye for an eye”
• Laws ranged from:
• Family
• Professional Contracts
• Administrative
• Different standards of justice for the following classes of Babylonian
society:
• Propertied
• Freedman
• Slaves
The Code of Hammurabi is inscribed on
seven-foot basalt stele
(n.d.). Retrieved July 8, 2016, from https://www.historians.org/teaching-and-learning/classroom-content/teaching-and-learning-in-the-digital-age/images-of-power-art-as-anhistoriographic-tool/stele-with-law-code-of-hammurabi
Hammurabi (left) is portrayed receiving the laws directly from the sun god, Shamash
The Twelve Tables
(June 10, 2009). Retrieved July 08, 2016, from http://www.csun.edu/~hcfll004/12tables.html
• 12 laws that were largely procedural
• Carried strict and rigorous penalties
• Laws ranged from:
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Court procedures
Finances
Paternal rights
Possession
Land rights
Torts
Public and Sacred laws
Supplemental laws
• Same standards of justice for the two different classes:
• Patricians
• Plebeians
The Twelve Tables are inscribed on twelve
bronze tablets
(September 2014). Retrieved July 08, 2016 from https://duxfemina.wikispaces.com/Latin+2+Scripta+1+September+2014
What are your thoughts?
• Were the laws too harsh or appropriate for the time period?
• Would there be less crimes in the present if all societies followed an
“eye for an eye” doctrine?
• Would you rather have lived as a freedman in Babylon or as a plebeian
in Rome when these laws were enforced?