IndexMeaning of the Code of HammurabiMeaning of the Code of HammurabiHow the Code of Hammurabi was formedWhy the Code was formedConnection with subsequent legal systemsBetween the first and complete primordial legitimate codes is that of Hammurabi code stated by the Babylonian ruler known as King Hammurabi who was ruler between 1792 and 1750 BC (Davies, 23). This code consists of 282 edicts and rules presented that would be applicable during business interaction. These rules proposed fines and subsequent punishments as a means of ensuring that the requirements of this particular form of justice were met (Davies, 25). This code became effective towards the end of Hammurabi's reign and was engraved on enormous Steles made of stone. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an Original Essay Contents of the Code of Hammurabi The contents of this Stela are a series of texts that were compiled when Hammurabi's reign came to an end. The code is more of an assortment of standards established amid textual revelry regarding Hammurabi's pious and righteous rule (Davies, 27). All 282 standards were documented in a manner that current law describes as an “if and then” system. An example of the application of the content of Hammurabi's code is when a crime occurs such as the theft of, for example, a bull (Harper, 45). The code provides that the thief, once caught, must pay up to thirty times the value of the bull. The contents of the code concern various areas of social life such as the family, contracts as well as administrative practices. This code provided for different classes of society during the Babylonian period. For example, Babylonian society was composed of propertied classes, freedmen, and men of servitude (Harper, 47). Furthermore, according to this code, doctors charged ten shekels as payment for the treatment of wounds considered servers if the patient falls into the category of gentlemen. Freemen were charged five shekels while slaves had to pay two shekels (Harper, 48). Furthermore, where crimes were committed, punishment was also based on class. Meaning of the Code of HammurabiThe connotation of the Code of Hammurabi is contemporary and was thus coined as a tribute to the Napoleonic Code of the 19th century. Contemporary scholars have been engaged in debates regarding the meaning of Hammurabi's code (Harper, 50). Furthermore, scholars have differing opinions regarding whether this prehistoric code is a faithful representation of complete and all-encompassing laws. Each edict consists of a scenario with an applicable verdict. The applicable verdicts are often harsh and the punishment of death is listed more than thirty times (Harper, 52). Death is one of many forms of punishment provided in cases where crimes involve theft from temples and palaces. This includes cases where slaves are granted asylum (Issar, 67). The code states that the punishment should not be similar. They depended mainly on the social or economic well-being of the accused. Punishment for crimes was primarily face-to-face where conflicting individuals fell into the same social status (Issar, 69). A common example is one that involves a member of the elite blinding an individual who falls into the class of common people. In such a case, the elite individual is required to make a payment worth one pound of silver (Issar, 71). When such an individual harms a member of a higher class, the punishment is much more severe. Unfortunately the code does not provide equivalent treatment forwomen. Therefore, from the code, it is obvious that there is a substantial burden on both the accused and the accuser once substantial evidence cannot be provided (Issar, 72). Significance of the Code of Hammurabi The importance of the Code of Hammurabi has been at play in the lives of the Babylonians and society over the years. This code was important in ancient times and is still important and relevant today. This code was significant within the Mesopotamian community as it defined the original set of rules that helped govern human conduct (Roth, 15). Since this code is composed of 282 edicts, engraved on stone that make up a series of twelve tablets, in Akkadian dialect, it becomes the code of choice. Therefore, current historians use this code to generate information related to the society, economy, religion, and historical context of this particular period (Roth, 16). The content of the code provides a vivid description of individual sections relating to crimes and incidents, as well as appropriate procedures and punishments. The code is also significant today. The code offers insight into the structure of the legal system in Mesopotamia which includes aspects such as divisions leading to the creation of class, political, and economic structures that informed the contemporary legal structure in most countries (Roth, 18). The current legal structure of most communities would not have been created without the prior existence of Hammurabi's code. This code established civilization and order in society. How Hammurabi's code was formed Researchers indicate that the formation of this code has a divine background. This belief was strengthened by the presence of bas-reliefs showing the code passed down to the king by the sun god known as Shamash (Sassoon, 33). This belief exists as Shamash is often associated with justice. Hammurabi's code was arranged in horizontally arranged columns that formed what is commonly referred to as cuneiform text or writing. This form of writing consists of writings placed on one side, 16 in number, while the back was made up of 28 columns (Sassoon, 36). The writing that makes up this code begins with an explanation of the restorative efforts intended to reconquer temples and cults within Babylonian society (Sassoon, 37). The code, which consists of approximately 28 sections, was established by subsequent amendments to existing laws during the Babylonian era, and was not established as stringent legal rules as most historians believe (Breazeale & Sholl, 12). As such, it has been formulated to offer guidance in relation to the procedures to be followed in the management of disputes. Why the code was bornBased on research, the code was born not as a version of current constitutions or Napoleonic laws. Therefore, it is most likely that the purpose was to help Babylonian society find relief in the fact that when a given individual experienced any form of injustice, that individual was accorded justice and wrongs were righted appropriately (Breazeale & Sholl, 13 ). Additionally, the Code of Hammurabi was established as a form of reference for upcoming leaders, and such a code would be used to provide guidance during rulings related to the provision of justice. Researchers and historians believe that Hammurabi established these rules as an applicable tactic to ensure control of information. as well as the history that came from its jurisdiction (Breazeale & Sholl, 14). This belief comes from the fact that King Hammurabi constantly dealt with many small disputes. Therefore, he established codes to help build a good image of himself to the rest of the world. He tried to, 19).