Hammurabi’s Code

Below, read the first 10 of Hammurabi's laws. You will need to use your dictionary to understand some unfamiliar words.

Select 3 laws that you think are interesting.

Copy (cut and paste) the 3 laws you selected to a Word document.

Compose a full paragraph (10 sentences or more) on each of the laws you selected. Each paragraph should include the following: (a) Your interpretation or "translation" of the law into everyday, simple American English (not slang), (b) A few sentences telling whether you think the law is good or bad and why it is good or bad, and (c) several sentences of your opinion of how this law could or could not be used today.

The Code of Laws

If anyone ensnare another, putting a ban upon him, but if he cannot prove it, then he that ensnared him shall be put to death.

If anyone bring an accusation against a man, and the accused go to the river and leap 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 anyone brings an accusation of any crime before the elders, and does not prove what he has charged, he shall, if it be a capital offense charged, be put to death.

If he satisfies the elders to impose a fine of grain or money, he shall receive the fine that the action produces.

If a judge tries a case, reaches a decision, and presents his judgment in writing; if later error shall appear in his decision, and it be through his own fault, then he shall pay twelve times the fine set by him in the case, and he shall be publicly removed from the judge's bench, and never again shall he sit there to render judgment.

If anyone steals the property of a temple or of the court, he shall be put to death, and also the one who receives the stolen thing from him shall be put to death.

If anyone buys from the son or the slave of another man, without