Stele of Hammurabi

Stele of Hammurabi
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Name	Stele of Hammurabi
Caption	The Stele of Hammurabi, now located at the Louvre Museum in Paris, France.
Created	circa 1754–1750 BC
Discovered	1901
Discovered place	Susa, Elam (modern-day Iran)

Stele of Hammurabi

The Stele of Hammurabi is a well-preserved basalt stele (a type of stone pillar) that dates back to the reign of Hammurabi, the sixth king of the First Dynasty of Babylon, who ruled from 1792 to 1750 BC. This ancient artifact is one of the most significant discoveries from Ancient Babylon and provides valuable insights into the law, governance, and culture of the time. The Stele of Hammurabi is famous for containing the Code of Hammurabi, one of the earliest known surviving examples of a code of law.

Discovery and History

The Stele of Hammurabi was discovered in 1901 by French archaeologist Vincent Scheil at Susa, Elam (modern-day Iran). The stele had been taken as trophy by the Elamites after a successful raid on Babylon during the reign of Shutruk-Nahhunte, a king of Elam, around 1200 BC. The stele was originally erected in Sippar, Babylon, and was later moved to Susa.

Physical Description

The Stele of Hammurabi is a large, well-preserved basalt pillar, measuring 2.25 meters (7.4 feet) in height and 60 cm (24 inches) in width. The stele is rounded at the top and features an image of Hammurabi standing before Shamash, the Babylonian god of justice. The inscription on the stele is written in cuneiform script and consists of 4,130 lines.

Inscription and Content

The inscription on the Stele of Hammurabi contains the Code of Hammurabi, which consists of 282 laws and rules that governed the social, economic, and cultural life of the Babylonians. The code covers a wide range of topics, including marriage, divorce, inheritance, trade, and punishments for crimes. The code is considered one of the earliest known examples of a code of law and provides valuable insights into the social and cultural norms of Ancient Babylon.

Significance and Legacy

The Stele of Hammurabi is significant not only for its historical value but also for its influence on the development of law and governance in Western civilization. The Code of Hammurabi has been studied and compared to other ancient codes of law, such as the Laws of Ur-Nammu and the Biblical laws. The stele is also an important artifact for understanding the culture and society of Ancient Babylon.

Historical Context

The Stele of Hammurabi was created during the reign of Hammurabi, who is considered one of the most important kings of the First Dynasty of Babylon. Hammurabi united various city-states in Mesopotamia and created a vast empire that stretched from the Persian Gulf to the Tigris and Euphrates rivers. The stele reflects the king's efforts to establish a uniform system of law and governance throughout his empire.

Cultural Impact

The Stele of Hammurabi has had a significant impact on our understanding of Ancient Babylonian culture and society. The stele provides valuable insights into the social, economic, and cultural norms of the time and has helped scholars to better understand the development of law and governance in Mesopotamia. The stele has also been the subject of numerous studies and has inspired many works of art and literature.

Preservation and Display

The Stele of Hammurabi is currently housed at the Louvre Museum in Paris, France, where it remains one of the museum's most popular attractions. The stele has undergone several restoration and conservation efforts to preserve its condition and ensure its longevity. The stele is considered a national treasure in France and is protected by French law.

Category:Ancient Babylonian artifacts Category:Legal codes Category:History of law Category:Archaeological discoveries in Iran Category:Louvre Museum