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The Law Code Stele of King Hammurabi

The Law Code Stele of King Hammurabi

Overview

  • Located in the Louvre, Paris.

  • Created in the Babylonian Kingdom (modern-day Iraq).

  • Approximately 4,000 years old, representing early human civilization and law.

Description of the Stele

  • A stele is a tall, carved monument.

  • The top is carved in relief with inscriptions below and around the edges.

  • Inscribed in cuneiform script, using the Akkadian language (the official language of Babylon).

Content of the Stele

  • Prologue:

    • Introduces the scene showing the Investiture of Hammurabi.

  • Figures Depicted:

    • Hammurabi (the king) on the left, facing Shamash (the god of justice).

    • Shamash wears a horned crown, indicative of divinity, and displays flames/light from his shoulders, symbolizing divine light similar to halos in Christian art.

  • Shamash’s Representation:

    • Sits on a throne with mountains underfoot symbolizing daily emergence.

    • Bestows a scepter and ring on Hammurabi, symbols of power, confirming Hammurabi's authority comes from Shamash.

Legal Precedents

  • Laws Inscribed:

    • The stele contains over 300 laws viewed as legal precedents.

    • They announce actions and corresponding consequences (e.g., building a house that collapses leading to the builder's death).

  • Biblical Context:

    • Similarities to "an eye for an eye" laws known in Biblical texts, predating them.

  • Epilogue:

    • Addresses the legacy of Hammurabi, emphasizing the importance of being remembered throughout time.

Cultural Significance

  • While not the only stele documenting laws, it survives largely intact with only three pieces.

  • Reflects significant aspects of Babylonian culture, particularly agriculture and family life.

  • Illustrates the advanced nature of Mesopotamian civilization and its impact on societal structure and law.

  • Highlights that Mesopotamian culture was vital to the development of organized society and governance.

The Stele of Hammurabi serves several practical functions:

  1. Legal Precedent: It inscribes over 300 laws which established legal precedents for the society, detailing actions and their corresponding consequences. This provided a reference point for legal matters and helped maintain order.

  2. Authority and Legitimacy: The text introduces the Investiture of Hammurabi, portraying the king receiving authority from Shamash, the god of justice. This divine endorsement legitimizes Hammurabi's rule and emphasizes the belief that laws are divinely sanctioned.

  3. Cultural Reflection: It reflects significant aspects of Babylonian culture, illustrating values in agriculture and family life and demonstrating the advanced nature of their civilization.

The significance of the text lies in its provision of insight into Hammurabi's governance. The laws signify an early form of strict justice, echoing principles like "an eye for an eye," predating similar laws found in Biblical texts. Thus, the stele not only documents specific regulations but also embodies the concepts of justice and order that were essential to the maintenance of societal structure in ancient Mesopotamia.

The two figures at the top of the Stele of Hammurabi are Hammurabi, the king, and Shamash, the god of justice. Hammurabi is depicted on the left, facing Shamash. Shamash is identifiable by several characteristics: he wears a horned crown, which signifies divinity, and he displays flames or light from his shoulders, symbolizing divine light. This representation is similar to halos seen in Christian art, illustrating Shamash's role as a divine authority bestowing power upon Hammurabi.