Hammurabi’s Code and Related Concepts

These flashcards cover key terms and definitions related to Hammurabi's Code and associated historical concepts.

Hammurabi’s Code

an extended interval of centralized rule in southern Mesopotamia, lasting from c. 1894 BCE to c. 1595 BCE.  From the capital Babylon, a series of Amorite kings consolidated power in the region, enabling economic growth and extending the influence of the local language, customs and religion.  e.g. Hammurabi’s Code helped to promote stability in the Old Babylonian period.

Cuneiform

one of the earliest forms of writing, invented by the Sumerians.  Wedge-shaped marks representing characters were impressed into wet clay using a pointed instrument called a stylus.  e.g. Hammurabi’s Code is written in cuneiform script.

Lex talionis

a form of retributive justice where the punishment is equal in kind to the injury sustained, as in “an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth.”  e.g. Hammurabi’s Code restricts lex talionis to cases where the injured party is upper class.  (See 196-201)

Pentateuch

the first five books of the Bible; also called the books of Moses, and, in Judaism, the Torah = “teaching” or “law.”  By tradition, the word of God as revealed to Moses. e.g. The oldest portion of the Pentateuch is known as “J” from the use of Yahweh = Jehovah for the name of God. 

Covenant

an ongoing contractual agreement; in the Biblical context, between God and man.  e.g. There are three covenants in the Hebrew Bible: with Noah, sign = rainbow; with Abraham, sign = circumcision; with Moses, sign = sabbath.