Hammurabi's Code & Babylonian Court Simulation

As you've seen in Kramer, the Sumerians settled between the Two Rivers around 3000 BCE and reached its peak around 2500 BCE. They were followed by four empires, marked by their rule over peoples and territory beyond their own.

The Akkadians, including under Sargon the Great, moved into the area between 3000 and 2000 BCE. The most memorable Akkadian ruler was perhaps Sargon, whose "growing realm became an empire as it incorporated multiple kingdoms ruled by himself as the overall king."

The Akkadians were followed by the Babylonians, which rose to power around 1800 BCE. Under Hammurabi, Babylon acquired the law code we explore on Friday, which dealt with a wide array of topics, such as marriage, real estate, business transactions and criminal law. Many of these laws can be traced back to the Sumerians. Notably, the punishments differed based on class, meaning that punishments were more severe for commoners than elites.

During Friday's simulation, we will hear six cases.  Six cases will be prosecuted by six students, while six students will defend themselves, and six other students will act as Hammurabi, proclaiming his final decision. Read your legal code!  It might be a matter of life or death!

https://www.khanacademy.org/humanities/ancient-art-civilizations/ancient-near-east1/babylonian/v/law-code-stele-of-king-hammurabi-792-1750-b-c-e

Case # 22

Case # 226

Case # 209

Case # 204

Case # 235

Case # 197

Me: Hear ye, hear ye -- the courtroom of the Great Hammurabi is now in session! Hear ye the decisions of the great Lord of the Universe, Ruler of the Land between the Two Rivers, and King of Babylon and Sumer!  Case # -- is called. 

Attorney and Lawbreaker come forward. 

Lawbreaker kneels before the Great King! 

Attorney: "Oh Great Hammurabi, Lord of the Universe -- Wise Servant of the gods Ishtar & Marduk -- I come to plead my case.  What say ye?  

Hammurabi: "Speak to me of this lawbreaker's crime or reason to come before my face!" 

Attorney: Defendant stands accused of breaking Case law # --.  Read it. 

Attorney: Make an argument why the law should be followed in this case. Why would this law be important to Babylon? 

Defendant:  Make an argument why the law should NOT be followed in this case. Why would this law be of lesser importance to Babylon?  Are there other similar laws on the books? 

YOU MUST BOTH TRY TO CONVINCE HAMMURABI, BUT NOT OFFEND HIM IN ANY WAY, OR THE PENALTY OF THE LAW MAY SIMPLY BE SENTENCED, AND EVEN MORE PUNISHMENT, INCLUDING OF THE ATTORNEY. 

Hammurabi: may consider the arguments and pass judgment. 

End of class question: 5 minute response: What do these cases suggest about the political, economic and social values of Babylon?