Legal Definitions - Code of Hammurabi

The Code of Hammurabi is the oldest known written legal code. It was created in Mesopotamia during the reign of Hammurabi, who ruled from 1792 to 1750 B.C. The code consisted of almost 300 provisions that were organized under different categories such as family, trade, real property, personal property, and labor.

• One provision of the Code of Hammurabi stated that if a builder built a house that collapsed and killed the owner, the builder would be put to death.
• Another provision stated that if a man accused his wife of adultery, but could not prove it, the wife would be thrown into the river.

These examples illustrate how the Code of Hammurabi was a strict set of laws that governed many aspects of life in ancient Mesopotamia. The consequences for breaking these laws were severe and often involved death or other harsh punishments.