历史小径·世界史英语30篇（5）
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The Code of Hammurabi: Law Carved in Stone
汉谟拉比法典：镌刻于石的律法
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Around 1754 BCE, King Hammurabi of Babylon ordered his laws to be inscribed on a tall black stele.
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This ancient code contained nearly 282 rules covering crime, trade, family life, and labor relations.
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Each law followed a clear 'if-then' structure that made justice predictable for citizens across the empire.
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Scribes copied these laws onto clay tablets so that judges and local officials could apply them consistently.
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Unlike earlier traditions, Hammurabi’s code treated social class as relevant but still required proof before punishment.
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Its famous principle 'an eye for an eye' aimed to limit revenge while affirming state authority over justice.
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The stele was discovered in 1901 in modern-day Iran, revealing how early states used writing to unify legal practice.
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Scholars believe this code helped Babylon maintain order during rapid urban growth and cultural mixing.
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It influenced later legal systems in Assyria, Persia, and even aspects of Hebrew and Roman law.
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Though harsh by modern standards, it marked a major step toward codified, public governance.