Being among the very first people to live in complex organized societies, the Sumerians and Babylonians are often accredited with the “invention” of law. Never before did a government have to govern over so many people and keep the peace between them. These ancient reforms in law have had a lasting impact on how the rest of the world would follow.
AMA-GI
Sumerian Glyph
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The Sumerian word ama-gi is literally translated as, “return to the mother.” This was a saying that was used to restore something to its original status. This cuneiform word became a byword for “freedom” in the Mesopotamian world. It is the first known reference to the concept of political and social freedom.
Sumerian Glyph
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The Sumerian word ama-gi is literally translated as, “return to the mother.” This was a saying that was used to restore something to its original status. This cuneiform word became a byword for “freedom” in the Mesopotamian world. It is the first known reference to the concept of political and social freedom.
CONE OF LIBERTY
Photograph
Mbzt
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This cuneiform cone was written in 2350 BCE as a part of great legal reform in the Sumerian city of Lagash by the King Urukagina. This was a radical change from the government-heavy style of rule that was predominant in Sumeria at the time. Urukagina scaled back the government, getting rid of many state taxes, and prevented the government from seizing a citizens property. He also limited the power of the church in Lagash, not allowing them to steal from the citizens. Urukagina displayed these cones in his city, announcing the new liberties.
Photograph
Mbzt
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This cuneiform cone was written in 2350 BCE as a part of great legal reform in the Sumerian city of Lagash by the King Urukagina. This was a radical change from the government-heavy style of rule that was predominant in Sumeria at the time. Urukagina scaled back the government, getting rid of many state taxes, and prevented the government from seizing a citizens property. He also limited the power of the church in Lagash, not allowing them to steal from the citizens. Urukagina displayed these cones in his city, announcing the new liberties.
CODE OF UR-NAMMU
Photograph
Rama
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The Code of Ur-Nammu is the oldest written code of law in existence. It was composed sometime between 2100 and 2050 BCE. The reform brought about by the reign King Ur-Nammu of Uruk marked the beginning of a period in Mesopotamian history referred to as the Sumerian Renaissance (or scholastically as Ur III Period). Though only fragments of the the Code of Ur-Nammu have been found it is more concrete than the many allusions and references that are made about Urukagina’s code of law.
The Code of Ur-Nammu lists various crimes that a citizen could commit and the punishment imposed (which was usually a fine). The following is an excerpt from the code’s text:
“If a man knocked out the eye of another man, he shall weigh out half of mina of silver.”
Most laws and punishments are written with this formula of stating the crime and then listing the fine of silver.
Photograph
Rama
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The Code of Ur-Nammu is the oldest written code of law in existence. It was composed sometime between 2100 and 2050 BCE. The reform brought about by the reign King Ur-Nammu of Uruk marked the beginning of a period in Mesopotamian history referred to as the Sumerian Renaissance (or scholastically as Ur III Period). Though only fragments of the the Code of Ur-Nammu have been found it is more concrete than the many allusions and references that are made about Urukagina’s code of law.
The Code of Ur-Nammu lists various crimes that a citizen could commit and the punishment imposed (which was usually a fine). The following is an excerpt from the code’s text:
“If a man knocked out the eye of another man, he shall weigh out half of mina of silver.”
Most laws and punishments are written with this formula of stating the crime and then listing the fine of silver.
STELÆ OF THE CODE OF HAMMURABI
Photograph
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It is probably the world’s best known code of law, being the origin of the saying “an eye for an eye.” It is also often cited as being the earliest. The code was composed in 1754 BCE (about 300 years after the Code of Ur-Nammu) under the reign of King Hammurabi of Babylon. It is the first code of law that has been translated in its entirety. It covered laws of inheritance to set wages for different professions to punishments of crime. The following is an excerpt from the code’s text:
“If a man put out the eye of another man, his eye shall be put out.”
The laws were written on stone pillars known as stelæ. They were taller than the men of that time and covered with cuneiform writing save for the “fingernail.” In ancient Babylon the government had scribes and other literate officials stand by the stelæ to read the laws to the illiterate citizens of the city.
Photograph
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It is probably the world’s best known code of law, being the origin of the saying “an eye for an eye.” It is also often cited as being the earliest. The code was composed in 1754 BCE (about 300 years after the Code of Ur-Nammu) under the reign of King Hammurabi of Babylon. It is the first code of law that has been translated in its entirety. It covered laws of inheritance to set wages for different professions to punishments of crime. The following is an excerpt from the code’s text:
“If a man put out the eye of another man, his eye shall be put out.”
The laws were written on stone pillars known as stelæ. They were taller than the men of that time and covered with cuneiform writing save for the “fingernail.” In ancient Babylon the government had scribes and other literate officials stand by the stelæ to read the laws to the illiterate citizens of the city.