The rule of law established under Hammurabi was the idea that a set of codified laws should govern a society, ensuring that all individuals, regardless of their status, were subject to the same legal standards and consequences. Hammurabi, the sixth king of the First Babylonian Dynasty, is best known for the Code of Hammurabi, one of the oldest deciphered writings of significant length, which dates back to around 1754 BC.
The key principles of the rule of law as embodied in Hammurabi's code include:
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Equality Before the Law: The laws applied to everyone, including the king and common people, which emphasized the importance of legal equality.
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Clear Legal Standards: The code provided a comprehensive list of laws and corresponding punishments, which aimed to eliminate arbitrary judgment and provide clarity in legal matters.
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Presumption of Innocence: While not explicitly stated, the structured trials and witness requirements suggest an early form of legal due process.
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Justice and Retribution: The code included specific consequences for wrongful actions, often framed as "an eye for an eye," promoting the idea that punishments should be proportionate to the offense.
Overall, Hammurabi's code laid the groundwork for the idea of a society governed by laws rather than arbitrary decisions by rulers, which is a fundamental principle of modern legal systems.