Why is the Law Code of Hammurabi so important?

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The Law Code of Hammurabi. Written around 1750 BC  (selected laws)

1. If a man lies in court in a case involving a death sentence, that man shall be put to death.
2. If a man lies in court in exchange for a bribe of grain or money, he shall himself bear the penalty imposed in that case.
3. If a man breaks a hole in a house, they shall put him to death in front of that hole and they shall thrust him into the hole.
4. If a fire breaks out in a man’s house and another man goes to extinguish the fire and steals, that man shall be thrown into that fire.
5. If a man divorces a wife who has not borne him children, he shall give her back the money in her marriage settlement.
6. If a son strikes his father, they shall cut off his fingers.
7. If a man destroys the eye of another man, his eye shall be destroyed.
8. If one man breaks another man’s bone, they shall break his bone.
9. If a man knocks out a tooth of a man of his own rank, they shall knock out his tooth.
10. If a man strikes a man who is his superior, he shall receive 60 strokes with an oxtail in public.
11. If a builder builds a house for another man and the house collapses and kills the owner, that builder shall be put to death.

Option 2 Essay Questions: In your essay spend time answering all of these questions.

1. Why is the Law Code of Hammurabi so important?
2. What is the main premise for this law code?
3. What one thing stood out to you most in this document?
4. Who was Hammurabi and what culture did he live in? Give some details about that culture.