Hammurabi Code Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Hammurabi Code - Essay Example Societies in which women were subjugated will typically show numerous laws protecting the rights and advantages of men, but will prevent women from gaining any power of their own. In these types of societies, women are forced to depend upon the men in their lives to provide them with the basic necessities for life because they are unable to own anything, inherit anything or make any of their own decisions. Although it is easy to assume that women have always suffered a subjugated role in all societies from the beginning of civilization, surviving records from several ancient societies reveal that women are only just now surpassing the freedoms afforded them centuries ago. One of the earliest systems of laws recorded is the codified legal system of King Hammurabi (1795-1750 B.C.), the ruler of the earliest known major city. Marriage laws within this code are very specific regarding the rights of the woman being almost equal to the rights of the man. For example, the bride’s family had to agree to the marriage by accepting the bride-price from the groom’s family. That the girl was a valued member of society is indicated in that this bride-price, along with a dowry provided by her family, went with her into her new marriage and remained her property for life. â€Å"If a man wish to separate from a woman who has borne him children, or from his wife who has borne him children: then he shall give that wife her dowry, and a part of the usufruct of field, garden, and property, so that she can rear her children.† Underscoring the value of the bride to her family is the idea that the bride is always a member of her father’s house, r egardless of to whom or how long she has been married and her honor is strongly protected regardless of her position in the family. â€Å"If a man be guilty of incest with his daughter, he shall be driven from