Code of Hammurabi FRQ- Ancient Mesopotamia Unit 2

Babylon (Susa, Iran)

FORM

stele

low relief sculpture on top.

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incised/intaglio sculpture: text carved into the material.

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Twisted perspective.

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Hierarchy of scale: the god would be taller than king, but when seated they are on the same level.

FUNCTION

Ensured law was known and that people couldn’t please ignorance.

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Glorifies Hammurabi as a pious and obedient ruler.

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Poem says he brought the law to the people.

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Laws are above humanity - divine gifts and can’t be disputed.

CONTENT

Shamash, the sun god. Hands Hammurabi symbols of kingship (rope, ring, rod).

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Crown with horn = deity.

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Seated on his ziggurat/temple throne.

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Hammurabi is in a speaking/greeting gesture, stands respectfully in front of Shamash.

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Text is in 3 passages:

1\. justifies Hammurabi’s position as king

2\. over 300 specific laws,

3\. poem praising Hammurabi’s virtues

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Text is written in Akkadian with cuneiform characters

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Laws are similar to eye for an eye rule. Differ according to gender/status/class

CONTEXT

earliest law code ever written

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Exhibited at the city of Sippar in the Babylonian Kingdom

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Multiple copies placed around the kingdom

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Babylonians were conquered by Elamites and the prince brought the Code of Hammurabi to Susa as a symbol of Babylonian defeat.

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Exhibited on the Susian acropolis