Hammurabi’s Code

Hammurabi’s Code: Questions

Directions: Write your answers in BOLD, beneath each question. Make sure to answer all parts of each question. Do not leave questions blank. If you are having trouble with a question email your instructor. Do not copy/paste entire sections as an answer. Most questions can be answered in a couple of sentences or by listing items. I will answer number one for you to model how these questions might be answered.

1. Do you think Hammurabi believed in the divine right of kings? Provide evidence from the text to support your answer.

Yes. Hammurabi did believe in the divine right of kings. In the prologue Hammurabi references that several Babylonian gods were involved in the process of selecting him to be king.

2. Did the people of ancient Babylon take making false accusations more seriously than we do in America today? Cite evidence from the text to support your claim.

3. Did victims of robbery that never recovered their stolen items have any recourse under Hammurabi’s Code? Cite evidence from the text to support your answer.

4. Did the people of ancient Babylon have advanced techniques to keep their crops watered? Cite evidence to support your answer.

5. Were priestesses permitted to drink alcohol under Hammurabi’s Code? Cite evidence from the text to support your claim.

6. What kinds of social injustices were included in the laws?

7. Were there any protections for women and children under the law? Cite evidence from the text to support your claim.

8. Do you think building contractors today would support Hammurabi’s Code? Cite evidence to support your claim.

9. Why do you think that Hammurabi did not include anything regarding vanity or vainness in his set of laws? Draw from the resources to develop your answer.

10. Do you think our society in the United States today would be better off if we lived under the law of Hammurabi’s Code?