历史小径·世界史英语30篇（5）

13 / 30

汉谟拉比法典：镌刻于石的律法

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