Hammurabi’s laws were called a code because they were written in a secret language. False, Hammurabi laws were called code because they were written in an organized list. Cuneiform was used only in writing government documents.

Some differences: The 10 Commandments (10C) are presented as being of divine origins, while the Code of Hammurabi (CoH) is of a earthly origins. About half of the 10C deal with how the Hebrews interact with their god and half how they interact with each other, while all of the CoH is civil in nature.

What Is the Code of Hammurabi? The black stone stele containing the Code of Hammurabi was carved from a single, four-ton slab of diorite, a durable but incredibly difficult stone for carving.

The Code of Hammurabi is one of the oldest deciphered writings of length in the world (written c. 1754 BCE), and features a code of law from ancient Babylon in Mesopotamia. The Code consisted of 282 laws, with punishments that varied based on social status (slaves, free men, and property owners).

The Code of Ur-Nammu is the oldest known law code surviving today. It is from Mesopotamia and is written on tablets, in the Sumerian language c. 2100–2050 BCE.

Some of historians and scholars think Hammurabi’s laws were cruel and unjust. Other Historians see the laws as just and fair because the laws brought order and justice to society. Additionally, they believe the laws regulated many different activities, from business contracts to crime.

Greg Jackson, M.A. Hammurabi’s Code is one of the most helpful windows that we have into examining Babylonian society. One thing we learn is that reputation was incredibly important as the Code specifically lays out punishments for slander (Law #127). Committing perjury in court could result in execution (#3).