Hammurabi

Who: King of Babylon who devised famous set of laws (Hammurabi's Code) that divided society into 3 groups and proscribed punishments

What: Laws ensure justice for his people, divinely inspired by sun god Shamash; Three categories of society: free persons, commoners, and slaves; People assembled in court to decide on cases; Mostly dealt with property; King owns land and rents to tenants; Property offenses extremely severe; Women had limited rights but could own property, divorce husband for cruelty, and appear in court

When: 1792-1750 B.C.E.

Where: Babylon

Significance: Code of Hammurabi tells us about life at that time due to laws (especially about medicine, business, and divorce); shows early attempt to codify laws