Discussion 2: Laws of Hammurabi and Old Babylonian Society ( Lecture 3+4)

Flashcards covering the lecture on the Old Babylonian period, Hammurabi's Code, Old Assyrian trade networks, and the infamous copper merchant Ea-Nasir.

Which group rose to kingship at the start of the 2nd millennium BCE in Mesopotamia?

The Amorites.

Who was the ruler of the Old Assyrian Period mentioned in the lecture?

Shamshi-Adad.

What major trade goods were transported along the northern trade routes established between Assur and Anatolia?

Tin, silver, and textiles.

What Anatolian merchant settlement served as a major commercial center during the Old Assyrian Period?

Karum Kanesh.

Which northern Euphrates city did Hammurabi sack during the expansion of the Old Babylonian kingdom?

Mari.

According to the lecture, what physical objects and artistic methods were used by Mesopotamian kings for legitimation?

Monuments (such as Naram-Sin's), depictions alongside the gods, seals, and royal inscriptions.

Which historical and mythological texts were cited as methods used by rulers to 'control the narrative'?

Enuma Elish, Curse of Akkad, Sumerian Kings List, and the inscriptions/laws of Hammurabi.

Where and approximately when did the merchant Ea-Nasir operate?

In the city of Ur circa 1750 BCE.

What ancient artifact is depicted in this image?

The clay cuneiform complaint tablet sent by the customer Nanni to the copper merchant Ea-Nasir.

Who sent the famous complaint tablet to Ea-Nasir regarding poor-quality copper?

Nanni.

What dismissive response did Ea-Nasir give to Nanni's messenger Sit-Sin when presenting substandard ingots?

"If you want to take them, take them; if you do not want to take them, go away!"

With which trading center or group of merchants did Nanni contrast Ea-Nasir's contemptuous behavior?

Merchants who trade with Telmun.

How much copper had Nanni and Umi-abum each delivered to the palace on Ea-Nasir's behalf?

1,080 pounds of copper each.

In which temple was the sealed tablet between Nanni, Umi-abum, and Ea-Nasir deposited?

The temple of Samas.

What minor sum owed by Nanni did Ea-Nasir use as an excuse to treat Nanni's messengers with contempt?

One mina of silver.

What online community was created on March 7, 2021, dedicated to memes about Ea-Nasir?

r/ReallyShittyCopper.

What ancient ruler is this carved stone head traditionally believed to represent?

King Hammurabi of Babylon.

During what exact years did Hammurabi rule as king of Babylon?

1792–1750 BCE.

To which dynasty did Hammurabi belong, and what was his primary political goal?

The Amorite dynasty; he attempted to unite Mesopotamia under the Babylonians.

What complete basalt monument inscribed with Babylonian laws is shown here?

The Stele of the Code of Hammurabi.

Who are the two figures depicted at the top of the Stele of Hammurabi?

King Hammurabi standing before the seated god of justice and the sun, Shamash.

What stated social purpose does Hammurabi give for issuing his laws?

"That the strong might not injure the weak" (or "to prevent the strong from oppressing the weak").

What three social classes are recognized within Hammurabi’s Code?

Awīlum (free elite/patrician), muškēnum (free commoner/dependent), and wardum (slave).

What penalty does Law 1 of the Code of Hammurabi prescribe for an unproven homicide accusation?

If a man accuses another man of homicide but cannot bring proof, the accuser shall be killed.

What Akkadian phrase, meaning 'If a man…', commonly opens provisions in Hammurabi's Code?

šum-ma a-wi-lum.

What is a major methodological caution when using the Code of Hammurabi to understand Babylonian daily life?

It is uncertain whether the laws were strictly enforced in practice or served as an idealized royal monument, requiring historians to cross-reference multiple documents rather than relying on a single text.