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A review by davidpc83
The Code of Hammurabi by Hammurabi
dark
informative
reflective
medium-paced
4.0
Most of these laws are definitely messed up, built on a patriarchal society where women are property, slaves, etc.
This is where the phrase "eye for an eye, tooth for a tooth" actually comes from (2 separate laws paraphrased).
Impressive though how specific the laws were written.
Consequences for not following the laws were usually pretty harsh (death to self or one of your family members (who probably had nothing to do with your crime), cutting off body part based on crime, heavy fine, etc).
I read part of this back in high school, but got around to reading the Code of Hammurabi in it's entirety, at least the parts that are preserved (laws 66-100 are missing of the 282 total laws). The text I read also included the introduction and epilogue (prayers/curses written by King Hammurabi to any future ruler that doesn't continue his laws).
This is where the phrase "eye for an eye, tooth for a tooth" actually comes from (2 separate laws paraphrased).
Impressive though how specific the laws were written.
Consequences for not following the laws were usually pretty harsh (death to self or one of your family members (who probably had nothing to do with your crime), cutting off body part based on crime, heavy fine, etc).
I read part of this back in high school, but got around to reading the Code of Hammurabi in it's entirety, at least the parts that are preserved (laws 66-100 are missing of the 282 total laws). The text I read also included the introduction and epilogue (prayers/curses written by King Hammurabi to any future ruler that doesn't continue his laws).