What's your life worth?

When it comes to self reflection, Hammurabi is similar to Gilgamesh. Again, I must reiterate that this notion holds only in regards to self reflection. In the opening pages of The Epic of Gilgamesh, which describe Gilgamesh as being wise, Hammurabi, too, makes multiple claims to his wisdom. Furthermore, Hammurabi also considers himself a “shepherd” of his land, as was Gilgamesh (77). Ironically, both are also metaphors for wild bulls. Hammurabi, in his prologue, calls himself a “fierce wild bull” (78). This raises the question: what type of a ruler was Hammurabi and what were his core principles conveyed through his laws?

The value of one’s life is the most beckoning of Hammurabi’s principles, that is, he leaves many hints as to what he thinks a life is worth. Law 21 describes how breaking and entering is punishable by death, as is harboring a fugitive slave. This view would be considered extreme in comparison to the concept of an eye for an eye. Law 34 states that a sergeant or captain merely “oppressing” a soldier can result in that captain’s or sergeant’s death. All these actions are enough to illicit capital punishment; what of words? Making false accusations can result in death, as can a soldier or fisherman disobeying orders.

Nevertheless, it is law 8 and 24 that indicate Hammurabi’s most explicit views of death. Law 24 dictates that if a life was lost during a robbery and the robber can not compensate for that lost life, the government will pay the family/guardians sixty shekels of silver for that life. The implication is that a life can be equated to sixty shekels of silver – to do such a thing in, say, The United States, would lead to a very slippery slope, malpractice leading to the loss of a limb – can one truly be compensated for loss of happiness associated with the parted limb.

On that note, there is Law 8, which essentially claims one who can compensate for a crime with money may avoid death. The implication is one of distinct classism; the rich may use their assets unavailable to others to be rendered outside the law.