Hammurabi Code Analysis

There is much to be learned about societies throughout history just from reading the texts that originated from them. Hammurabi’s Code, Zarathustra’s teachings on Good and Evil, Laozi’s Living in Harmony with Dao and Ibn Battuta’s text on Customs all provide a narrative on different aspects of culture including religious practice, governance, architecture, and societal structure.
Hammurabi’s Code illustrates the patriarchal society and the class system that was present in the Old Babylonian Empire. As we discussed during class, Hammurabi’s code outlines varying punishments depending on social standing. For example, one of the laws states that “if a man knocks out the teeth of his equal, then his teeth shall be knocked out,” however, “if a man knocks out the teeth of a [commoner], he shall pay one third of a mina.” Hammurabi’s code offered women protection from offenses such as rape, however, it ensured that the control still resided in the hands of men, and it enforced the patriarchal lifestyle that was very much a part of life in ancient Mesopotamia. One of the laws states that, “If a man's wife be surprised [having intercourse] with another man, both shall be tied and thrown into the water,” but
In his text on the Customs in the Mali Empire, he explained the ways in which the Mali people adhered to Islamic practices, and the ways in which they dissented from them. Ibn was pleased to observe the emphasis that the Mali people placed on religion. He explained that the mosques were always tightly packed, and, “the people paid great attention to memorizing the Holy Qur’an.” Battuta was saddened upon seeing women dressed immodestly and appearing naked before people. It is evident that the extreme modesty which sometimes included veiling of the face and clothing from head to toe that is customary for most Muslims did not extend to the Mali