Ancient Near Eastern Law

Ancient Near Eastern law refers to the legal systems developed by civilizations like the Sumerians, Babylonians, and Assyrians around 2000-500 BCE. These laws structured society, defining rights, responsibilities, and punishments for various offenses. The most famous example is the Code of Hammurabi, which emphasized justice and retribution, often summarized as "an eye for an eye." These laws covered contracts, property, family matters, and criminal acts, providing a basis for social order and accountability in early civilizations. They reveal much about the values, priorities, and societal structure of ancient Near Eastern societies.