Moses And The Hebrew People example essay topic

Hammurabi was the sixth, but most well known, ruler of Babylon (reigning from 1792 to 1750 BC). He is so well know, in fact, Hammurabi is the often credited with creating Babylonian empire. He did, however, transform Babylon into one of the greatest cities of the ancient world. It is believed by Archaeologists, studying the ancient areas consisting of where Babylon would have been, they have discovered that city streets were arranged in straight lines that intersect at approximately right angles, providing forethought into extensive city planning and a strong central government. As great a ruler as Hammurabi was, he is most notably known for his Code of Laws, which are widely regarded as the first written and enforced system of laws known to man. Hammurabi, noting a need for enforcing certain standards of conducts and for resolving disputes among his people, enacted his Code of Laws in hopes to resolve the issue.

Although his laws are harsh and somewhat cruel by today's standards (i.e. almost every law involves the death penalty for those who are found guilty), he very well could have been trying to enact a "shock" system to persuade criminals to abandon their ways. Hammurabi's Code of Laws consisted of some 282+ specific laws covering every imaginable problem or situation of the era. These laws were found carved into a stone statue by a French research team. Although several sections appear missing, it is generally thought most of the Code of Laws in intact. Found among his laws are the first known building code laws, slavery laws, and personal property laws. "From the code it is evident that there were distinct social classes, each of which had its rights and obligations.

The right of private property was recognized, though most of the land was in the hands of the royal house. Ownership of land brought with it the duty to provide men for the army and public works". Clearly, Hammurabi intent was to apply laws to each and every citizen, regardless of social class and status, though citizens of a higher status may not be found guilty of crimes that require the death penalty. Some of Hammurabi's Laws were extremely detailed and others were often left to interpretation.

This allowed for a court system (or judges) to hear testimony from witnesses and the accused, and to determine their fate. Some examples of his more detailed laws are: . If any man, without the knowledge of the owner of a garden, fell a tree in a garden he shall pay half a mina in money... If any one store corn in another man's house he shall pay him storage at the rate of one gur for every five ka of corn per year... If a man put out the eye of another man, his eye shall be put out. [ An eye for an eye ] Hammurabi made significant changes in all aspects of life, mainly from the transformation of a small city-state into a large and well-known Empire.

Most of his rule was given to the establishment of law and order, irrigation projects, religious buildings, and defense works. He personally oversaw the administration of government and in doing so he failed to create a permanent bureaucratic system, as it relied wholly on his guidance and knowledge. This failure was a primary reason for the decline of the Babylonian Empire after his death. Historians now believe Hammurabi's accomplishments may have been exaggerated, partly because of the fame he gained when his Code of Laws was discovered. His lasting achievement was to shift the main theater of Mesopotamian history northward, where it remained for 1,000 years.

Moses is the Hebrew prophet (13 Century BC) who led his people from slavery from the Egyptians. Moses is best known for delivering the law of God to his people, in the form of the Ten Commandments. According to biblical accounts, Moses' parents were from the tribe of Levi, one of the various groups in Egypt called Hebrews. Originally, the term Hebrew had nothing to do with race or ethnic origin. It came from the word Habitu - a variation of the spelling Hap iru, or a description of a class of people who made their living by hiring themselves out for various services. The biblical Hebrews had been in Egypt for generations, but apparently they became a threat, so one of the pharaohs enslaved them.

After witnessing an Egyptian severely beating an enslaved Hebrew, Moses killed the Egyptian. When he realized his deed did not go unnoticed, he fled to Midian. Moses lived his life a content farmer and Sheppard until one day coming across a burning bush. As he studied the bush in an attempt to investigate this phenomenon, a voice called out to Moses to come no closer. It was the bush speaking to Moses. The bush claimed to be a representation of Yahweh, or God, and order Moses to deliver the Hebrews from Egypt.

Moses, afraid to go back to Egypt, did not listen to God at first. After further assurances that God would protect Moses and the Hebrew people, Moses agreed to the task. Moses went to Egypt in an effort to free the Hebrews, telling King Ramses "Thus says the Lord, God of Israel, 'Let my people go. ' " Ramses, believing himself to be a god, declined to free the Hebrews.

This set in motion a chain of events, from flooding to plagues, to prove to Ramses that Yahweh was all-powerful. Finally, Moses was able to lead the Hebrews back to Mount Sinai, where he encountered the burning bush. Moses, leaving his people at the foot of the Mountain so he could receive the word from God, climbed high up a path. When he returned, he carried two stone tablets, engraved with the Ten Commandments. These commandments begin what is known as the Law of Moses, or the Law of God. This marked a covenant between Yahweh and the Hebrews.

Breaches of the covenant required a means of atonement. Soon Moses implemented a system of judges and hearings to standardize the civil aspects of the community. Moses' people did not always follow his laws and the Commands of God. On many occasions God would call on Moses to punish Hebrews who were worshiping false idols. Moses' love for his people led him to beg to God for their forgiveness. Again and again Moses suffers for his peoples indiscretions.

As his last official act, Moses renewed the Covenant with the believers and followers who had stayed on the righteous path. Afterwards, Moses climbed Mount Pisgah to view the promise land. The Hebrews never again saw Moses, and it is believed he was 120 years old when he passed. The Ten Commandments are still used today by many religions, mostly as a guide, but some religions follow Moses teachings to the letter of the law.

Encyclopedia Britannica Web Site - web Individual Website - web International History Project Website - web Code of Hammurabi Website - web Paragraph paraphrased from IHP - web Moses. Encyclopedia Britannica. - web Moses. Encyclopedia Britannica. - web.