HIST-UA 180 Lecture 4: The Sumerian pattern of civilization spread across Southwest Asia
Document Summary
The sumerian pattern of civilization spread across southwest asia. In about 2000 b. c. , the amorites invaded mesopotamia, overwhelmed the. Hammurabi created one of the world"s first empires. Babylon became a commercial center, but its rapid growth caused problems. Hammurabi made a collection of laws known as hammurabi"s code. The laws established rules for dealing with everyday issues such as contracts, inheritances, leases, perjury, and debts. The largest number of laws deal with marriage, family and property. The code invoked the principle of retaliation (an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth) to punish crimes. The code set different punishments for rich and poor and for men and women. Many of the laws reflected a double standard. Babylonian women could divorce, own slaves, transact business and bequeath property. Hammurabi"s code established the principle that a government had a responsibility for what occurred in a society. Hammurabi"s code became a standard that inspired future rulers.
