Many legal codes have been established to govern societies and ensure justice for all members. One of these codes is the Code of Hammurabi, created by the Babylonian king Hammurabi around 1754 BC. This code is one of the oldest bodies of law on record and has been the subject of much debate as to its fairness and correctness. Some argue that Hammurabi's Code was right, while others argue that it was not. This essay will explore these two perspectives and ultimately demonstrate that the Code of Hammurabi was not entirely due to its harsh punishments and unequal treatment of different social classes. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on “Why violent video games should not be banned”? Get an original essay One of the main arguments for the justice of the Code of Hammurabi is that it provided a clear and consistent set of laws which applied to all members of the Babylonian Society. This uniformity of the legal system was an important achievement for the time and provided a sense of order and predictability to the population. Additionally, the code was based on the principle of "an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth", which was considered a fair and just form of justice in ancient Mesopotamia. This principle aimed to ensure that sanctions were proportionate to the crimes committed, thereby promoting a sense of fairness and balance in the legal system. Furthermore, proponents of the Code of Hammurabi argue that it played a crucial role in maintaining social order and stability in Babylonian society. The code dealt with various aspects of daily life, including commerce, property rights, family matters, and criminal behavior, thus establishing a comprehensive set of laws governing all aspects of society. This broad scope of regulation was intended to avoid chaos and ensure that everyone played by the same rules, thereby contributing to the overall well-being of the community. However, despite these arguments for its correctness, the Code of Hammurabi was not entirely just and equitable. One of the main criticisms of the code is the harsh and often brutal punishments provided for certain crimes. For example, the code stated that a false accusation against a man could result in the accuser being put to death, regardless of the severity of the accusation. Likewise, theft was punishable by amputation and adultery could result in the death of both parties involved. These sanctions were considered excessively harsh and disproportionate to the crimes committed, raising questions about the fairness and humanity of the code. Furthermore, the Code of Hammurabi presented a clear bias in favor of different social classes. Punishments for the same crime varied depending on the social status of the individual involved, with harsher penalties being imposed on lower-class citizens. For example, if a man of higher social standing caused the death of another man's slave, all he had to do was compensate the slave owner with a new slave. On the other hand, if a man of a lower class caused the death of a slave, he could be put to death as punishment. This unequal treatment of different social classes undermined the code's claim to justice and fairness, as it favored the privileged and disadvantaged the marginalized members of society. Furthermore, Hammurabi's Code did not provide equal protection under the law for all members of society. Women, in particular, are subject to discriminatory treatment under the code, as they have limited legal rights and are often treated like property. For example, a woman.