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Western Civilization I think that it is difficult to undervalue the importance of the codes of Hammurabi and Hebrew laws, Covenant Codes for the modern studies of society and civilization of that period. These monuments give a picture of laws and order of Mesopotamian's, Egyptians, Hebrews; these documents testify the level of ethics and morality which served as one of the chief foundations of the social structure in the ancient times of Hammurabi and Moses. The moral theme was paid much attention in the records of Hebrew holy book. Generally, the Hebrew Scripture represents morality plays, and introduces the understanding of good and evil, virtue and vice with the help of different characters. In the Hebrew Bible I think first was suggested the idea that righteousness was the path to salvation. In the contest between wrong and right, if wrong wins out, it is due to be inevitably punished.
To my mind a human is depicted in the records as in some way a brutal creature which learns to wrestle with his own emotions, desires and temptations in order to acquire moral, reasonable conduct and continue his life in the righteous way. Comparing the covenant code and the code of Hammurabi, one can find lots of similarities: in style, in the described invents and customs. For example, in the criminal law of Hammurabi the class distinction was mentioned in the principle -an eye for an eye, and tooth for a tooth. Accordingly the same principle can be met in the covenant code: 24 Eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot, 25 Burning for burning, wound for wound, stripe for stripe. [ 1 ] The narratives of Sarah and Hagar in Genesis 16: 1 ff. [ 1 ] and the story about Rachel and Bilhah (Genesis 30: 1 ff. ) [ 1 ] demonstrate the same principles of jurisdiction. The Old Testament showed the same customs which people in Babylonia used to have: in Genesis 24: 53 there were the bridal gifts to Rebekah and this resembles the Babylonian ternate. Exodus 21: 18 f. : "And if men contend, and one smite the other with a stone, or with his fist, and he die not, but keep his bed; if he rise again, and walk abroad upon his staff, then shall he that smote him be quit: only he shall pay for the loss of his time, and shall cause him to be thoroughly healed. " [ 1 ] Resembles Code of Hammurabi, section 206: "If a man strike another man in a noisy dispute and wound him, that man shall swear, 'I did not strike him knowingly'; and he shall pay for the physician. " [ 1 ] The similarities of the codes might evidence some of the appreciated values which existed both in time of Hammurabi and in the time of Moses.
I think the family was one of the most valuable things. Hammurabi wrote about the family as an institution which held central position in Sumerian life. In the covenant code, the holy destination and the importance of family, to my mind, can also be viewed. Exodus 21: 15: "And he that smith his father, or his mother, shall be surely put to death. " [ 1 ] Similar Code of Hammurabi, section 195: "If a son strike his father, his hand shall be cut off. " [ 1 ].
However the codes of Hammurabi and the covenant code have distinctions which are not less significant than their similarities. Hammurabi codes are all pantheistic but at the same time they emphasize a humanistic orientation. Thus humans and human life are considered in the codes to be of a lower value. Also Hammurabi codes do not distinguish intent from deed. Speaking about the mosaic laws, it should be borne in mind, that the laws of Moses are based on monotheism. This however means not only the acknowledgement of one God; this background consequently raises the value of a human life.
I think that the mosaic laws introduced the principles of the morality which are closer to those we have nowadays. Thus, I come to a conclusion that the Mesopotamian's, Egyptians, and Hebrews were all concerned with living the good moral life. But the matter is that these nations had different understanding of ethics and moral conduct. In this respect I think it is difficult to judge weather some of these nations were less moral or not.
Bibliography: Verse. Bible Tools. 2005. Jan. 28 2005. < web > Rogers, Perry M. Aspects of Western Civilization, Volume I, 5 th ed. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice Hall, 2003.
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Research essay sample on Code Of Hammurabi Western Civilization
