Introduction
Welcome, learned advisors... Please peruse my legal code and tell me what you think!
Task
You are an advisdor to King Hammurabi. He has just completed his, soon to be famous, Code of Laws that will unite the Mesopotamian region under his control. He will want you to look over them, learn about them, and advise him. PLEASE remember, when you do give him reccommendations, you are speaking to a god on earth... the great king Hammurabi!
Process
I.
First, read the opening paragraph of the preamble:
When Anu the Sublime, King of the Anunaki, and Bel, the lord of Heaven and earth, who decreed the fate of the land, assigned to Marduk, the over-ruling son of Ea, God of righteousness, dominion over earthly man, and made him great among the Igigi, they called Babylon by his illustrious name, made it great on earth, and founded an everlasting kingdom in it, whose foundations are laid so solidly as those of heaven and earth; then Anu and Bel called by name me, Hammurabi, the exalted prince, who feared God, to bring about the rule of righteousness in the land, to destroy the wicked and the evil-doers; so that the strong should not harm the weak; so that I should rule over the black-headed people like Shamash, and enlighten the land, to further the well-being of mankind.
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A preamble, like the introduction to an essay, states the purpose of what follows. What does this preamble state is the purpose of the code to follow?
1. According to the first paragraph what did the gods do for Babylon before Hammurabi?
- 2. For what purpose does the first paragraph say the gods called upon Hammurabi?
- 3.Why would Hammurabi want his name associated with the names of gods?
II.
Look over the laws in the Code section of the following link:
http://avalon.law.yale.edu/ancient/hamframe.asp
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- 4. How many pronouncements are there?
- 5. Depending on the translation you read, most or all of the pronouncements begin with "If." They state that if X happens than Y must now happen. Ask students to point to a specific example.
- 6. Find, and describe, a series of pronouncements that appear to be grouped together because they are on similar subject, such as #'s .... to .... and describe the subject they deal with
For #'s 7-10, list a law that you think deals with:
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- 7. the need for law and order in a growing community
- 8. That there was an organized government? In what ways?
- 9. The technical knowledge, tools, and skills of the Babylonians?
- 10. The importance of religion? Government? Social structure (class, gender, etc.) ?
Evaluation
How Will I be Graded?
1. Each of the Questions on the Process Page is worth 2 points - You need the correct answer and it needs to be nice, neat, and readable.
2. Your speech/response to Hammurabi is worth 10 points. You need an intro. sentence, and it needs to show that you have a real understanding of the laws. You also need to include everything the question asks for!
Conclusion
Finally, it's time to earn your pay, learned advisor. Write a speech to be delivered to King Hammurabi. Your speech should:
1. Be in paragraph form
2. Begin by 'buttering him up," he's a god on earth after all. If you give him too much bad news your head may end up in the Euphrates!
3. Tell him how you think the laws will affect his position as leader and the government of Babylon
4. Tell him how you think the laws will affect the common people of the region
5. Choose a particular law or two that you really like or dislike and tell him why!
Good Luck!
Which is Greater?!