The Code of Hammurabi & the Rule of Law: Why Written Law Matters [No. 86]

3,500 years ago, King Hammurabi of Babylon compiled a series of commands regarding the day-to-day life of his people. These commands, which dealt with topics from divorce to contracts to murder, were preserved on a diorite stela, binding future Babylonian kings to Hammurabi’s new code of law.
How can a written legal code affect the rule of law? Dr. Paul Rahe of Hillsdale College discusses the 282 laws which can be found on this artifact and how they have influenced law codes from the Book of Deuteronomy to American legal codes.
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As always, the Federalist Society takes no particular legal or public policy positions. All opinions expressed are those of the speaker.
Learn more about Paul Rahe:
www.hillsdale.edu/faculty/pau...
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Related Links & Differing Views:
Archaeology: “Laws”
www.archaeology.org/issues/21...
Project Gutenberg: “The Oldest Code of Laws in the World by King of Babylonia Hammurabi”
www.gutenberg.org/files/17150...
Fordham University: “Ancient History Sourcebook: Code of Hammurabi, c. 1780 BCE”
sourcebooks.fordham.edu/ancie...
The Federalist Society Blog: “Ruminations on the Rule of Law”
fedsoc.org/commentary/blog-po...
Cato Institute: “Remember the Common Law”
www.cato.org/policy-report/ma...

[@ballinbalgruuf8198]

I'm not here because of some schoolwork. I'm just genuinely curious.

[@mgreene011]

Who cares?

[@fiorintinocogin1187]

Useful infirmation

[@pezvonpez]

@@mgreene011 I care

[@MalakaEnergetic]

Thank you for taking the time to learn about history it is an important skill that a lot of people dont have.

[@christopher9727]

Jesus Christ is the only hope in this world no other gods will lead you to heaven There is no security or hope with out Jesus Christ in this world come and repent of all sins today Today is the day of salvation come to the loving savior Today repent and do not go to hell Come to Jesus Christ today Jesus Christ is only way to heaven Repent and follow him today seek his heart Jesus Christ can fill the emptiness he can fill the void Heaven and hell is real cone to the loving savior today Today is the day of salvation tomorrow might be to late come to the loving savior today Holy Spirit Can give you peace guidance and purpose and the Lord will John 3:16-21 16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. 17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. 18 He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. 19 And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. 20 For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved. 21 But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God. Mark 1.15 15 And saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel. 2 Peter 3:9 The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. Hebrews 11:6 6 But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him. Jesus

[@lordfarquaad380]

Struggling to pump out an essay and trying to remain top student right now. Thank you.

[@mrdude1]

Same

[@mkosrs578]

Everyday bro

[@eshajoseph8317]

Thats why I'm here too

[@thelovewins0126]

Hope you did well!

[@lordfarquaad380]

Elysium Artwork my teacher specifically told my class to write essays for the bulletin board because were in the creative writing section and then proceeded to put none of them up

You forgot to mention a great difference from nowadays: in the Code of Hammurabi society was divided in three groups: superior men, commoners and slaves and further clearly divided in two sexes, and penalties were very different according to status. Nowadays, in theory, everyone is equal before the Law.

[@jaym3395]

Mind if I use that in my summary

[@ryflex4210]

i was literally writing this EXACTLY in one of my summaries

[@popedhop]

Supposedly, that is

[@Punicia]

Hmmm the two sexes thing is an even bigger deal than ever. Chaos is rampant these days. Need to reestablish order.

[@bmaddy9250]

In the Hammurabi translated code, I quote “the law offers protection to all classes of Babylonian society; it seeks to protect the weak and the poor, including women, children, and slaves, against injustice at the hands of the rich and powerful.”

[@humanrights4all425]

People are missing the point here. The main point is not so much what the codes are as the creation of the codes itself. It was the first written law that governed the relationship among individuals and groups in ancient society. And that was a step forward in history: making laws, regardless of them being fair or not, as opposed to lawlessness

[@cameltube-vk7el]

ok but really what about NATURAL LAW ? Gods LAW, Do No Harm [unless] the Golden rule or what ever you want to call it? i.e Violence vs Force ???

[@christopher9727]

... Jesus Christ is the only hope in this world no other gods will lead you to heaven There is no security or hope with out Jesus Christ in this world come and repent of all sins today Today is the day of salvation come to the loving savior Today repent and do not go to hell Come to Jesus Christ today Jesus Christ is only way to heaven Repent and follow him today seek his heart Jesus Christ can fill the emptiness he can fill the void Heaven and hell is real cone to the loving savior today Today is the day of salvation tomorrow might be to late come to the loving savior today Holy Spirit Can give you peace guidance and purpose and the Lord will John 3:16-21 16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. 17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. 18 He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. 19 And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. 20 For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved. 21 But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God. Mark 1.15 15 And saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel. 2 Peter 3:9 The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. Hebrews 11:6 6 But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him. Jesus

[@forzaacmilan36]

@@cameltube-vk7elThe Bible literally talked about the Hammurabi code in the Old Testament

[@willtogs]

Thank you for this video! I am currently writing essays and studying ancient law codes for my summer because they are interesting and I found this very. very helpful!

[@c.galindo9639]

An interesting way of structuring laws and the template in which other laws followed long after this document became ancient. Intriguing

[@samd8016]

Beautiful 😻. Thank you!!!

[@annallasad166]

Me over here is trying to find the simplest summary of 'em all and thankyou very much!! I had finished my task because of your help!! Thankyou very much!!!❤️❤️

[@PheonixRynn]

Wow. Rabbit hole took me here. Thankq

[@archanarangari9008]

Hammurabi`s main principle of code of law was that = The strong shall not injure the weak......

[@michaelh8167]

Nonsense. Example: if a slave revolts then his master can cut the slave`s ear.

[@greatestever5634]

@@michaelh8167 a slave... nowadays if a dog attack a human you put it down. seems reasonable to me

[@manuelmoraleda9684]

@greatestever5634 intentionally releasing attack dogs on a totally innocent victim to me meant both the dogs and the owner of the dog should be inflicted the same injuries.

[@ahmedjawad7350]

many thanks, I found what I'm looking for here

[@dukerobert7283]

Great animation!

[@jeremyjames1659]

He conveniently failed to point out that there was two separate laws, one for the rich, one for the poor. The code of Hammurabi is the basis for most codes of law.

[@pillbobaggins2766]

the channel is extremely biased because they're conservatives and libertarians

[@charlesbireland1780]

​@@pillbobaggins2766 WTF is that supposed to mean?

[@davidferrer9320]

"You really should read the hammurabi code" bruh thats why we are here wtf

[@manuelmoraleda9684]

Don't do unto others that you don't want others to do unto you. That's a fair and balanced justice. The Golden Rule.

[@vigneshshankar8353]

Why am I here Ethics teacher:To learn.

[@brigittahoffmann9283]

Quite impressive, but clearly brutal,

[@elizabethdiane3679]

I was reading about this in the Haley's Bible Handbook

[@christophersnedeker2065]

Equality isn't really there, a noble has a lesser punishment for harming a commoner then another noble. We see equality more in the mosaic law.

[@eddeddesc3717]

Cool

[@Sharad_Kokas.60]

A great film , please permit me to use a portion of this film as background of my hindi poetry for personal use , with thanks to Dr Paul A Rahe and The Federalist Society .I am a post graduate in ancient indian histry and archaeology as well as a hindi poet

[@palaunglove]

could you put the Myanmar/Burmese translation in the video?

[@hsmanjunath5138]

That's lewd.🖑🖑🖐🖐

[@jayalourenmalte3930]

POV: Nandito ka dahil gagawan mo to ng reflection paper🤣

[@katrielchavez3020]

Very inerestin, thank you!

[@mikeminaj5021]

I’m just here for fun! HAMMARABI WAS THE GOAT.

[@rakeshyaar9454]

The Code of Hammurabi influenced Babylonian society and later Jewish and Christian law codes, addressing crimes and holding the king responsible to the gods. [00:00] The Code of Hammurabi provides insight into Babylonian society through its laws - Contract law and liability law are prominent - Family law, including divorce and custody, is also present - Criminal law and laws regarding public officials are included - The laws take the form of if/then statements for judges to follow - The code includes aspects of modern law, but seems to be case law-based [01:35] Legal systems have evolved from simple principles to complex rules to fit complex social and contractual situations - Judges added circumstances to simple principles to avoid producing injustice - Contract law has become more complicated due to unforeseen circumstances - The evolution of legal systems is similar to the evolution of common law - The idea of having a code of laws may go back as much as 800-900 years before Hammurabi [03:10] The Book of Deuteronomy and Hammurabi Code show continuity in law codes - Jewish law is inspired by the Mesopotamians and the Hammurabi Code - All law codes must address crimes and have a political constitution - Hammurabi Code lacks a political constitution but holds the king responsible to the gods - The death penalty is common in the Hammurabi Law Code

[@unregisturd]

Imagine if the stone was just "art" or a prop used in Babylonian theatre or some such.

[@user-nf2yp5jj4d]

My teacher send me to hear this lmfao-😂

[@machwegdektatorvonunsereml7186]

I think the hammurabi law is best for USA now

[@krystalbrooks6869]

I've never heard of this, so I came looking for information. So is this a religious topic?

[@lupus4868]

I think it's a political topic with religious influence.

[@astronotics531]

@@lupus4868 nah, it's clearly a religious topic but there is a lot of influence in politics.

[@FatBat5k]

@@astronotics531 You're trying to delineate the religious from the political when, in reality, this video discusses a time period when those would have been one in the same. It's both... Religious principles conferred and authorized power; then political leaders often dictated the religious practices that they felt were most beneficial to society (or themselves). That situation is what sets modern day "democracy" apart from older societies AND current societies ruled by religious doctrine.

[@kenhart5259]

The problem with it is there is no constitutional basis. Therefore, only a supreme leader can determine what the law will be. That is the problem with democracy as opposed to constitutional republic

[@igorwriting158]

شَرِيعة حَمُورَابِي

[@LukeRiedler]

This better fucking be good

[@Aaron-qx1ke]

One of the first ultimatums spooned, forced with a packaging that of nothing but gain. Complication added to more than likely benefit a few casting them above others unquestionably. Complication as that settlement of grievances amongst individuals who went outside there selves and harmed others. Easily settled through the obvious course of actions, no muddied with appointment of power and earnings taken from the masses to aid a few as well as aides ego swelling and pocket books of those now flexing zero muscle for labor of earnings now flexing status, virtue, and self righteousness touting justifications nobody asked for of there being driven by the now hidden conscious in need of righting or balance but logic and/or reason now find loss or cons marginally bested over self control adjusted to fit power soothing prestige. Worldwide…worldwide

[@Sirbenjithethird]

Bro 😊

[@mcclaysmcclays6185]

So who made the law? Did Jews have it and then share it with Babylon when they were taken captive? Or did the Jews copy from the Babylonians?

[@fishoutofwater7979]

Hammurabi made it. In the prologue it talks about Hammurabi got permission from the gods. Well Hammurabi wrote it- But they didn’t know right and wrong so they thought his Code was Justice and Hammurabi thought so as well. They couldn’t have taken anything from The Jews because Hammurabi was the first to actually write the Laws

[@enassaleh1652]

Mcclays Mcclays the Jews copied it

[@chodeshadar18]

Hammurabi may =Amraphel in book of Genesis. He was Abraham's friend. Hs Code takes eye for eye literally. Torah takes it as monetary value.

[@avet4521]

@@fishoutofwater7979 Hammurabi's laws are not the oldest written laws. The Ur-Nammu tablet is not only 400 years older, its also far superior to Hammurabi's laws. Lastly the Ur-Nammu tablet isn't even the oldest codified laws, just the oldest we've actually found.

[@strongfp]

@@fishoutofwater7979 It should also be noted that it wasn't just all the gods, the one god atop of the stone piece is Hammurabi himself asking the Sun god, and getting that particular gods permission... It really makes you think about the real inspiration of Abrahamic religions. There seems to be a lot of complex Sun worship going on when you think about it.

[@mjjustnazmeer1806]

Ada yang kata General Malique buat lagu berkaitan Hammurabi Law, jadi saya cuba nak paham hahaha 😂

[@TylerDWard]

You really ought to read the hamarabi code...really? Why do you waste my time to say that 4:43 in

[@wendyhargrave4021]

No it’s actually 4:37

[@preppydaisies9663]

@@wendyhargrave4021 lmao i love that

[@homayonreah1955]

Don't try to say that Hamurabi coppied from Jews, rather Jews coppied Sumerians, Babilones, etc.

[@narrowistheway77]

Actually Jewish/Christian Law is extremely different and you should have noted that. Both of those often praise forgiveness over punishment

[@christopher.d.parks.5]

You were/are that one person that reminded the teacher of homework for the long weekend.

[@ssaifda]

which bible u reading bro?

[@pillbobaggins2766]

expecting conservatives to know what they're talking about?

[@miq83333]

Im from iraq my grand father hamurabi❤🤩❤

[@aymanekouera2302]

Not necessarily your ancestors may come from another place

[@user-qu6wp9ee5o]

😁😁😁😁 اي صح

[@sigabra3274]

who's first? Moses or Hammurabi? the 'stone' should act as a compass peace

[@mr.fanstastic9010]

the idea of the law was stolen from the bible

[@Burning_Babylon]

Hebrew Hammer is the gavel. Must be a rabbi Hummar

[@ikhwanshah1489]

I thought XY only exist in Math, not History. 😟

[@muhammadhadiffdaniel8508]

x = if y = then

[@lcfiiiangeliviiweareallcha5866]

Ther should be a lot of you, better take a good look. The damage you inflicted, runs deep.

[@lucy-tx4fr]

I'm just here for school tbh

[@claudiacarvalho5006]

Same

[@Marie-kw8qp]

Wow ! Where r u from ? I didn't think there is schools teach Iraq history

[@preppydaisies9663]

same-

[@schneidermobilelegendsturn1211]

busit reflection essay namen ituuuuuu 2 paragraphs

[@danganfrederickl.2467]

Kaya mo yan😂

[@vicenzoguimaraeschamusca6807]

oi

[@Chmezr]

Great Iraq"...《❤》

[@bdulrahmanarzani27]

It’s actually Kurdistan! The land you stole and divided between the 4 nations of turkey,Iran,Syria,Iraq.

[@Chmezr]

@@bdulrahmanarzani27 Hahaha Sumer and Akkad and Babel and Assyria Kurdistan? Originally it does not fall in present-day Kurdistan confirmed = Baghdad, Babel = Hilla, Sumer = Nasiriyah and Muthanna and Maysan and Basra Where are the Kurds in these areas?😂💔

[@Chmezr]

@@bdulrahmanarzani27 Nineveh, the capital of the Assyrians = Mosul, where are the Kurds 😂💔

[@bdulrahmanarzani27]

أسد الضلام lol I never said there a re Kurds there! What I’m saying is that they are in the Kurdish territory even the assurs(one of the first empires ) is in the Kurdish territory go check the map of Mesopotamia and you will see that Mosul is on the highlands of Iraq which Kurds live there and it’s part of Kurdistan all of that territory used to be ours but then it got divided into four parts called the greater Kurdistan which each one of those parts is owned by the surrounding countries just because people who live there aren’t Kurds doesn’t mean that it’s not a Kurdish territory like kirkuk which is now home to different types of people

[@Chmezr]

@@bdulrahmanarzani27 Nineveh, Mosul, the capital of our Assyrian ancestors. As for you, the Kurds, your land is Iran, from which the Persians expelled you from after they destroyed the Kurdish media. You have nothing to do with Iraq.

[@headshot7154]

6th grade 😔😔😔

[@preppydaisies9663]

@TENZIN DESEL me too, infact i was assigned this video by my history teacher.

[@doyouknoworjustbelieve6694]

It’s important to know that Hammurabi was a real person, while Moses was a legendary character.

[@christophersnedeker2065]

How do you know?

[@emerywills5814]

Moses was real and so was his descendants.

[@nostradamusofgames5508]

Honestly I'd take this law over my countries constitution.

[@yankaralev6255]

God left us laws to follow. Do this and I will bless you. Do this and I will curse you. All of nature confirms His rightousness! What year was the Hammurabi law written verses Law of Moses(Deuteronomy)?

[@jesussaves1875]

Hammurabi lived about 1500BC (or 1770 BC) they cant seem to agree - the laws of Moses were written about 1600BC

[@tiffanysmith490]

My take on it is "pagan people CAN actually have good ideas." The Code of Hammurabi being written earlier doesn't take anything away from the Mosaic law.

[@OmarOsman98]

Jews are chosen and everything in hits out was started by them

[@AlexGiacoman1]

You lie the eye for an eye and tooth for a tooth was told to Noah at first, Hammurabi is descendants of the sons of Noah the law is passed down through that genealogy because it was first given to Noah

[@OmarOsman98]

There isn't sufficient evidence that Noah existed historically. There is evidence for Hammurabi though.

[@AlexGiacoman1]

@@OmarOsman98 I think the flood is evidence enough for Noah, and the waters that cover 70% of earth surface is evidence of a world wide flood testifying the existence of Noah and most importantly the God of the Bible. If that not clear evidence then I don't know what is.

[@OmarOsman98]

@@AlexGiacoman1 It is not clear evidence whatsoever.

[@OmarOsman98]

@@AlexGiacoman1 A better argument would take notice of the fact that the ancient Babylonians believed in a flood story known as the Epic of Gilgamesh. Also, the Hindus have a flood story. Almost all religions have a version of the flood story. Now, here is the tricky part. Did each religion copy the story from each other or did it actually happen?

[@AlexGiacoman1]

@@OmarOsman98 Im very familiar with the flood account of the Babylonians, and the pic tale of Gilgamesh. Now one thing to remember Babylonians are decendants of Noah, who came to try build an empire after the flood through a leader know in the Bible as Nimrod, possibly thought to be Hammurabi ( first Babylonian king) or maybe Gilgamesh thought to be the same person. But a military leader non the less. Babel comes from the Bible meaning confusion the place where the disperment of language took place and a great migration that covered the earth giving us different regions with different languages. The tale Gilgamesh if I remember correctly it wasn't about a flood account, it was a man seeking immortality but found immortality through his name. Same story of Nimrod seeking to make a name for himself. Yea I think they are all going to have similaries in stories because they are all decendants of Noah. It is hard to say if Nimrod was Gilgamesh or hamurabi or akkad. I personally believe the akkadian empire recorded by sumers is king hamurabi recorded by Babylonians and Bible records him as Nimrod. Non the less decendants of Noah.

[@aaronanonymous5385]

The Jewish are copy

[@noface8696]

I'm proud for my birth in Iraq the country of date and civilizations

[@michaelswan1043]

Doing work for 20$ a paper 😂❤️

[@user-qq7bp1zm9g]

Good bless mesopotamia iraq 🇮🇶