The Oldest Code of Laws in the World

The code of laws promulgated by Hammurabi, King of Babylon, B.C. 2285-2242

Author: Hammurabi
Published: 1903
Language: English
Wordcount: 17,623 / 60 pg
Flesch-Kincaid Reading Ease: 75.2
LoC Category: D
Downloads: 1,127
Added to site: 2005.11.26
mnybks.net#: 11983
Genre: History

Translated by C. H. W. Johns

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aused him to regain his city, if in his house there is means for his ransom, he shall ransom his own self; if in his house there is no means for his ransom, he shall be ransomed from the temple of his city; if in the temple of his city there is not means for his ransom, the palace shall ransom him. His field, his garden, and his house shall not be given for his ransom.

section 33. If either a governor or a magistrate has taken to himself the men of the levy, or has accepted and sent on the king's errand a hired substitute, that governor or magistrate shall be put to death.

section 34. If either a governor or a magistrate has taken to himself the property of a ganger, has plundered a ganger, has given a ganger to hire, has stolen from a ganger in a judgement by high-handedness, has taken to himself the gift the king has given the ganger, that governor or magistrate shall be put to death.

section 35. If a man has bought the cattle or sheep which the king has given to the ganger from the hand of the

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