File:Code of Hammurabi.jpg

Summary

The Code of Hammurabi (Codex Hammurabi ) is a law code from 1760 BC of ancient Babylon. It was enacted by the Babylonian king, Hammurabi.

Some examples of laws found on the code are:

• If any one brings an accusation against a man, and the accused goes to the river and leaps into the river, if he sinks in the river his accuser shall take possession of his house. But if the river proves that the accused is not guilty, and he escapes unhurt, then he who had brought the accusation shall be put to death, while he who leaped into the river shall take possession of the house that had belonged to his accuser.

• If any one brings an accusation of any crime before the elders, and does not prove what he has charged, he shall, if a capital offense is charged, be put to death.

• If a Builder build a house for someone, and does not construct it properly, and the house which he built fall in and kill its owner, then that builder shall be put to death.

• If a man give his child to a nurse and the child die in her hands, but the nurse unbeknown to the father and mother nurse another child, then they shall convict her of having nursed another child without the knowledge of the father and mother and her breasts shall be cut off.

Copyright status:

http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/2.0/deed.en

Source:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/batigolix/3332925630/