Hammurabit’s Code

Hammurabi's Code Essay Prompt

Although women were seen as the lesser man, they had certain rights, yet they were mostly seen as property. In ancient Mesopotamian society women were held in higher regard than in other parts of the world. This is mostly because the men of this society realized that without women there race could not live on. But even with this reasoning, women were still seen as a lesser being. We see this throughout the code of Hammurabi. It is clearly apparent in law (128) where the importance of carrying on mankind is stressed.

In the book of genesis, god gave Adam the command to “be fruitful and multiply” We see this command take place in Mesopotamian society when law number (128) is passed. This law states: “If a man take a woman to wife, but have no intercourse with her, this woman is no wife to him.” Although Mesopotamian society realized the importance of women, they could not bring themselves to see women as equals to men. With this in mind they did make rights to protect women although they could never be equal. This is portrayed through law (130). This law states: If a man violate the wife (betrothed or child-wife) of another man, who has never known a man, and still lives in her father's house, and sleep with her and be surprised, this man shall be put to death, but the wife is blameless. This is a perfect example of how women are protected throughout the code. In most cultures the man would be favored and the women put to death. However in this society if a man violate another man’s wife of another man than he is put to death. Even though it is protecting the women it still portrays the image that women are seen more as property. Man protects woman by making that women his property and if a man messes with another man’s property than that man shall be put to death. Even when women can be directly involved with a crime, a man has a chance to pardon his “property” This is stated in law number (129). The law sates: If a man's wife be surprised (in flagrante delicto) with another man, both shall be tied and thrown into the water, but the husband may pardon his wife and the king his slaves. Although a women was directly involved with a crime they are not by law put