Babylonia Empire: Law & Order

Summary

The script delves into the Babylonian Empire's rise under King Hammurabi, who sought to unify his diverse empire through the Code of Hammurabi. This legal document, inscribed on a stele, contained over 300 laws aimed at creating uniformity and fairness in trade, property, and compensation. The script highlights the code's significance in establishing a universal legal system and its influence on later legal concepts, such as 'innocent until proven guilty' and 'an eye for an eye.' It also discusses the visual representation of divine authority granted to Hammurabi by the sun god Shamash, suggesting a connection to the narrative of Moses receiving the Ten Commandments.

Takeaways

• 🏛️ The Babylonian Empire emerged in Mesopotamia around the 18th century BCE, following the disintegration of the Acadian Empire due to climate change and political disturbances.
• 👑 King Hammurabi established the Babylonian Empire and saw himself as the inheritor of the Acadian Empire's grandeur, naming his empire 'mat Acadia', meaning 'the country of Akkad'.
• 📜 The Code of Hammurabi, established by Hammurabi, is a set of over 300 laws that aimed to unify his diverse empire and create uniformity in governance.
• 🗿 The code was inscribed on a stele, a stone monument, which also features a significant low relief carving at the top, symbolizing divine authority.
• 👁️ The laws covered topics such as property rights, trade, and compensation, emphasizing fairness and a universal treatment under the law, regardless of social class.
• 🔄 The Code of Hammurabi aimed to eliminate personal biases in the implementation of the law, ensuring that similar crimes received the same punishment across social classes.
• 🌐 The code was widely distributed throughout the empire, with fragments found in multiple locations, indicating its importance in creating a homogenized discipline.
• 👼 The top of the stele features a carving of the god Shamash, the sun god, handing Hammurabi symbols of rulership and authority, signifying divine sanction of the code.
• 📝 The Code of Hammurabi introduced famous legal concepts such as 'innocent until proven guilty', 'an eye for an eye', and 'a tooth for a tooth', which have influenced legal systems and narratives worldwide.
• 📖 The narrative of the Code of Hammurabi may have inspired the biblical story of Moses receiving the Ten Commandments from God on stone tablets, highlighting its historical and cultural significance.

Q & A

What was the name of the empire that arose in Mesopotamia after the disintegration of the Acadian Empire?

The Babylonian Empire arose in Mesopotamia after the disintegration of the Acadian Empire.

Who was the king under whose rule the Babylonian Empire was established?

The Babylonian Empire was established under King Hammurabi.

What was the alternative name for the Babylonian Empire according to Hammurabi and his successors?

Hammurabi and his successors referred to their empire as mat Acadia, which translates to the country of Akkad.

What was the solution Hammurabi came up with to unify his diverse empire?

Hammurabi came up with the Code of Hammurabi as a solution to unify his diverse empire.

How many laws did the Code of Hammurabi consist of?

The Code of Hammurabi consisted of over 300 laws.

What was the main purpose of the Code of Hammurabi being widely distributed across the empire?

The main purpose of the wide distribution of the Code of Hammurabi was to create homogenization and discipline within the empire.

What does the term 'stele' refer to in the context of the Code of Hammurabi?

In the context of the Code of Hammurabi, a 'stele' refers to a stone monument or marker on which the code was inscribed.

What are the two main topics covered by most of the laws in the Code of Hammurabi?

The majority of the laws in the Code of Hammurabi are about property rights and commerce, dictating fairness in trade and compensation.

What is the significance of the Code of Hammurabi in terms of legal treatment across social classes?

The significance of the Code of Hammurabi is that it established a universal treatment under the law, eliminating personal biases or preferences in the implementation of the law.

What is depicted in the low relief carving at the top of the stele of the Code of Hammurabi?

The low relief carving at the top of the stele depicts the god Shamash handing the symbols of rulership and authority, a rod and a ring, to Hammurabi, signifying divine sanction of the laws.

How does the Code of Hammurabi relate to the idea of 'innocent until proven guilty' and the concept of retributive justice?

The Code of Hammurabi introduced the concept of uniform legal treatment and is associated with the idea of 'innocent until proven guilty' as well as retributive justice concepts like 'an eye for an eye'.

What historical narrative has been speculated to have been inspired by the stele of the Code of Hammurabi?

The narrative of Moses receiving the Ten Commandments from God on stone tablets has been speculated to have been inspired by the stele of the Code of Hammurabi.

Outlines

00:00

🏛️ The Rise of the Babylonian Empire and Hammurabi's Code

The Babylonian Empire emerged in Mesopotamia in the 18th century BCE following the disintegration of the Acadian Empire, which was partly due to climate change. King Hammurabi established the new empire, with Babylon as its capital, and named it 'mat Acadia', signifying his connection to the previous empire. To unify his diverse empire, Hammurabi created the Code of Hammurabi, a set of over 300 laws inscribed on a stele, which aimed to standardize legal practices and create uniformity. The code covered topics such as property rights and commerce, emphasizing fairness in trade and compensation. Its significance lies in the codification of universal treatment under the law, eliminating personal biases in legal enforcement.

05:01

👑 Divine Authority and the Visual Representation of Hammurabi's Code

The Code of Hammurabi is not only significant for its legal content but also for its visual representation on the stele. The top of the stele features a low relief carving depicting the god Shamash, the sun god, bestowing authority upon Hammurabi, who is shown wearing a domed cap symbolizing kingship and priestly status. Shamash hands Hammurabi a rod and a ring, symbols of rulership and authority, indicating that the code is divinely sanctioned. This visual narrative reinforces the idea that Hammurabi's laws have a divine origin and are thus universally applicable. The code has also influenced legal concepts and phrases that are still recognized today, such as 'innocent until proven guilty', 'an eye for an eye', and has potentially inspired biblical narratives like Moses receiving the Ten Commandments.

Keywords

💡Babylonian Empire

The Babylonian Empire refers to the ancient civilization that emerged in Mesopotamia in the 18th century BCE, succeeding the disintegrated Acadian Empire. It is significant in the video's narrative as it represents the rise of a new power under King Hammurabi, who sought to unify the diverse communities of Mesopotamia through the establishment of a legal code, the Code of Hammurabi.

💡Law and Order

Law and order is a central theme in the video, highlighting the efforts of the Babylonian Empire to create a unified legal system that applied to all social classes. The Code of Hammurabi is a prime example of this, as it aimed to establish fairness in trade, property rights, and compensation, thus promoting a sense of uniformity and discipline within the empire.

💡King Hammurabi

King Hammurabi is a key figure in the video, known for his role in establishing the Babylonian Empire and creating the Code of Hammurabi. His name is synonymous with the famous legal code that aimed to unify the empire through a standardized set of laws, reflecting his vision of a just and orderly society.

💡Code of Hammurabi

The Code of Hammurabi is a set of laws inscribed on a stele, which became the governing legal framework for the Babylonian Empire. It is a central concept in the video, illustrating Hammurabi's strategy for unifying his empire through a codified system of justice that applied equally to all social classes.

💡Stele

A stele is a stone monument or marker, and in the context of the video, it refers to the physical object on which the Code of Hammurabi was inscribed. The stele is significant as it represents the tangible manifestation of Hammurabi's legal code, serving as a symbol of divine authority and uniform law enforcement.

💡Cuneiform Script

Cuneiform script is the writing system used to inscribe the Code of Hammurabi on the stele. It is an ancient form of writing that was prevalent in Mesopotamia, and its use in the video underscores the historical and cultural significance of the legal code.

💡Property Rights

Property rights are a major topic within the Code of Hammurabi, emphasizing the importance of establishing clear rules for land ownership and transactions. In the video, these rights are highlighted as a key aspect of the code, reflecting the value placed on land and property in Mesopotamian society.

💡Agricultural Commerce

Agricultural commerce is another significant area covered by the Code of Hammurabi, focusing on ensuring fairness in trade and transactions related to agriculture, which was a vital part of the Mesopotamian economy. The video discusses how the code aimed to regulate and standardize these commercial activities.

💡Social Class

Social class is a relevant concept in the video, as it discusses how the Code of Hammurabi sought to apply uniform laws across different social strata. The code aimed to eliminate personal biases and preferences in the implementation of the law, ensuring equal treatment regardless of one's social standing.

💡Divine Authority

Divine authority is a key theme in the video, particularly in the context of the top of the stele, which depicts the god Shamash handing symbols of rulership and authority to Hammurabi. This scene signifies that the legal code was divinely sanctioned, reinforcing the legitimacy and authority of Hammurabi's rule.

💡Religious Iconography

Religious iconography, such as the horned crown worn by the god Shamash and the symbols of rulership given to Hammurabi, is used in the video to illustrate the divine endorsement of the legal code. These visual elements serve to connect the earthly law with the divine realm, emphasizing the sacred nature of the Code of Hammurabi.

Highlights

The Acadian Empire disintegrated around the middle of the 21st century BCE, partly due to climate change.

The Babylonian Empire emerged in the 18th century BCE under King Hammurabi.

Hammurabi's empire was also known as mat Acadia, signifying a connection to the past Acadian Empire.

Hammurabi faced the challenge of unifying a diverse empire and addressed it through the Code of Hammurabi.

The Code of Hammurabi consisted of over 300 laws, establishing a uniform legal system.

The code was inscribed on a stele, symbolizing its widespread distribution and importance.

Hammurabi described himself as the king who made the four corners of the earth obedient, emphasizing his authority.

The laws covered topics such as property rights, agriculture, and commerce, aiming for fairness in trade and compensation.

The code introduced a universal treatment under the law, eliminating personal biases in legal implementation.

The top of the stele features a low relief carving, including the god Shamash and King Hammurabi.

Shamash, the sun god, is depicted wearing a horned crown, a symbol of divinity.

Hammurabi is shown receiving symbols of rulership and authority from Shamash, indicating divine sanction.

The visual representation on the stele serves as a justification for the law, emphasizing its divine origin.

The Code of Hammurabi is historically significant for introducing the concept of uniform legal discipline.

The code includes famous legal phrases such as 'innocent until proven guilty' and 'an eye for an eye'.

There is speculation that the Code of Hammurabi may have inspired the narrative of Moses receiving the Ten Commandments.

Transcripts

the Babylonian Empire Law and Order

so um in our previous discussion we left

off with the Acadian Empire which more

or less disintegrates around the middle

of the 21st century BCE

um interestingly a large portion of that

disintegration had to do with some

climate change

um which makes it feel kind of relevant

today there was quite a bit of political

disturbance because of climate uh

changing climate conditions and it won't

be until the 18th century that a new

Empire arises in Mesopotamia and that

will be the Babylonian Empire

established under King Hammurabi maybe

his name is familiar to you maybe not we

will discuss him

um and so we call this the Babylonian

Empire their capital city was Babylon

but it's interesting Hammurabi and his

successors had a different name for

their empire which was mat Acadia

um I don't know if I'm pronouncing that

correctly but it's a k k a d i and this

translates to the country of akkad which

as you recall was the capital city of

the Acadian Empire

um so it's interesting that Hammurabi

when he comes to power he sees himself

and Fashions himself as kind of the

inheritor of the Acadian Empire and the

the Grandeur of being an Empire

um which is you know rhetorically

interesting and um interesting visually

in a way that we will come to appreciate

in just a second

uh but you know when he comes to power

Hammurabi has uh arguably a problem that

all uh military leaders of military

empires have which is how to unify your

inherently

um diverse Empire all these different

communities how do you create a kind of

uniformity amongst them

and the solution that he comes up with

is very famously known as the Code of

Hammurabi

so the code is kind of two things the

code is the actual writing as we are

about to see consisting of over 300 laws

that Hammurabi uh establishes codifies

and then they become the governing laws

for his Empire so

um it's the the kind of theoretical

conceptual laws but then there's also

very famously this particular Steely and

we recall that Steely is the fancy term

for a stone monument or marker and

um you know that's also when people say

Code of Hammurabi that's also what

they're referring to is this particular

Steely but the code wasn't only written

on this Steely

um there are fragments I think of it

from at least a dozen a dozen other

places in the Empire of the code uh so

we know that it was widely distributed

and again the purpose arguably of that

is to um

to create a homogenization

um of discipline within his Empire I

don't know if it's on the Steely itself

or if it's elsewhere but Hammurabi will

go on to very famously describe himself

as quote the king who made the four

corners of the earth obedient and uh

obviously I think that's the messaging

that we are getting here

so turning to this you know physical

object

um the code is actually written on the

body of the Steely you can see that here

it is in it that cuneiform script and as

I said it's over 300 laws

um and if you had to kind of guess the

topics that they cover there's

likes one or two general categories that

come up a lot

and it's fine if you don't you know if

you don't guess these but if you had to

guess maybe possibly based on what we've

talked about with Mesopotamian Society

so far maybe you would guess that uh big

topics had to do with property rights

and kind of agricultural

um uh what's the word I'm looking for

um Commerce

so um that is that is what the majority

of these laws are about it's essentially

kind of dictating fairness in in trade

and compensation and property which we

know is such a valuable commodity in

this period and the significance of all

this is not necessarily that you know

there's X

you commit x-crime and then your

punishment is what we would now deem

today as appropriate that's not the

significance necessarily the

significance of the code is that if you

were to commit x-crime everybody like

you

um everybody in your social class so

pretend you're a farmer if you committed

x-crime you would receive the same

punishment as any other farmer that

committed this crime usually you know

each crime had a different level of

punishment for the type of person that

committed it so perhaps you know a woman

would get a more harsh punishment than a

man a farmer or more harsh punishment

than a traitor so on and so forth uh but

it's that homogenization across social

class

um so no longer is is the law and

implementation of the law you know based

on personal biases or preferences

um it's this codification of uh a

universal treatment under the law and

that is what makes the code so

significant

um but from a visual perspective uh

again this particular Steely is also

significant because of what it shows at

the top

and just in terms of our art historical

vocabulary and talking about style

hopefully we recognize that this is a

low relief carving of two figures

um and if you had to guess you know I

will tell you right now one of them is

Holy one of them is not but obviously

pretty important even though he's not

holy

um which one of them is Holy what do we

what have we learned about the

appearance of gods in Mesopotamia that

kind of tells us who is who and again

hopefully you would recognize that this

figure is wearing a horned crown and the

horns are coming from the back and then

kind of creating this v-shape towards

the front

um but we recall that it's only the gods

that wear horned crowns so we know that

this is the god shamash the god of the

sun

arguably the most powerful of all the

gods he even has these lightning bolts

as kind of I don't know sold shoulder

decorations which I think is fabulous

and he's extending his arm out towards

this other figure

and given the name of this Monument we

came fairly deduced that this other

figure is Hammurabi and he is shown

wearing that domed cap that we saw all

the way back on the work of Oz as a

symbol of kingship and Priestly status

so what is happening shamash is handing

uh Hammurabi something and if we were to

look at other examples of art from this

period we would know that these are

other symbols here we have a rod and a

ring and those are symbols of

um

uh rulership and authority and so

shamash is handing those to Hammurabi

and thus the whole kind of messaging of

uh this scene is that the law Code of

Hammurabi you know technically or or

actually comes from shimash shamash has

given Divine authority to rule to

Hammurabi Hammurabi comes up with this

this code and thus it is divinely

sanctioned uh divinely approved

and so it's interesting

um again knowing that Hammurabi

particularly saw himself as an inheritor

of the Acadian Empire it's interesting

how this connection of ruler and the

Divine was also something that we saw at

the end of the Acadian Empire and here's

just being expressed a little

differently

um with Namar sin he was showing his

physical and Military might here we have

um you know a legal uh illegal power

being expressed but um hopefully to

State the obvious the the Code of

Hammurabi is incredibly significant in

terms of world history because of this

this sort of uniforming discipline

um the idea of it that it sets forth and

it's also um given us some fairly famous

legal phrases and Concepts like the idea

of being innocent until proven guilty

that is something that appears in the

code

um as well as these phrases an eye for

an eye or a tooth for a tooth

um in regards to punishment and

retaliation and those will also appear

as you may or may not know in the Old

Testament

and also in the Old Testament very

famously is the prophet Moses who

receives Ten Commandments written on

stone tablets from God when he is on a

Mountaintop and so it has been

speculated that um

let me just go back to the whole thing

here that um this particular Steely

could have also been an inspiration for

that narrative The Narrative of Moses

receiving laws for human behavior from

God on stone tablets

so a whole lot of interesting

associations in history happening with

the Code of Hammurabi and hopefully now

we have a little better understanding

um also of the visual rhetoric and

justification for the law that is

written at the top of the Steely