Code of Hammurabi

Attribution:

Travis S.

Key Dates

1760

This stele was created in Babylon between 1792 and 1750 bc by Hammurabi. In the 12c bc, Shutruk Nahunte of Elam conquered Babylon and took the stone to display on the acropolis in his capital, Susa. It was discovered there in 1901 by Egyptologist Gustav Jequier.

Key People

Hammurabi was the first king of the Babylonian empire, ruling Babylon from 1792-1750 bc. He extended the city's control over Mesopotamia, and also invested in public works such as new temples and city walls. However, his successors proved unable to maintain the boundaries of his empire, and gradually lost back most of his conquests.

This massive stele is carved out of shiny black basalt and is covered with the cuneiform text of 282 laws that governed Babylonian life, written in great detail. (The number, by the way, is conjectural since there are no divisional markers in the text.) The language used is Akkadian, the language of everyday life, rather than the priestly Sumerian language. This wasn't the first stele to show the laws of a city, but it is the best known and the most stylish. At the top of the stele, a low relief carving shows the god Shamash dictating the law to the king. Sun rays coming from the god's shoulder identify him as Shamash. The king raises his hand to his mouth as a mark of respect.

Origin & Collection

Discovered at:

Susa

On display at:

The Louvre

Additional information on display location:

Room 3

Reference Number:

Sb 8

Physical properties

Materials:

Stone