Friday – October 18, 2013 Mr. Lombardi

Do Now: Why do societies have rules, regulations, and laws?

Aim: How can we use primary sources to comprehend Hammurabi’s Code?

Primary vs. Secondary Sources• What is a primary source?

– Give a definition in your own words and list as many examples of primary sources as possible.

• What is a secondary source? – Give a definition in your own words and list as

many examples of secondary sources as possible.

Primary Source Secondary Source Accounts of an event written by the person who witnessed or experienced it firsthand (original documents).

Examples: DiaryJournalLettersSpeechesManuscriptsInterviewsPhotographsAudio/video recording

Studies that other researchers have made of a subject (secondhand information).

Examples:ArticlesBiographiesDocumentariesText books

Sumerian Achievements

Downfall of the Sumerians/Rise of BabyloniansCenturies of fighting between the city-states made the

Sumerians weak. In 2350 B.C., the conqueror Sargon defeated Sumer and captured other cities to the north. He built the world’s first empire. An empire brings together several peoples, nations, or previously independent states. It puts them under the control of one ruler.

A few hundred years later, a different group of people conquered the Sumerians. These people built a capital at Babylon, establishing the Babylonian Empire. They were led by a king named Hammurabi. He is famous for his code of laws. It was a harsh code that punished people for wrongdoing. However, it also made it clear that the government had some responsibility for taking care of its people.•Why was Hammurabi’s Code important?

Hammurabi’s Code

Do we have a similar law today?

What aspect of life does this law affect?

Whom is this law designed to benefit?

Why do you think this law was needed?

What would happen if this law did not exist?

LAW A - If a witness gives false testimony in a case that involves the death sentence, the witness shall be put to death.LAW B - If a builder builds a house and it collapses causing the death of the owner, the builder shall be put to death.LAW C - If a woman wishes to divorce her husband and the records show that she is not at fault, she may leave her husband without any consequence. LAW D - If a man steals an ox that belonged to a temple or palace, he shall repay thirty times its cost. If it belonged to a private citizen, he shall repay ten times. If the thief cannot pay, he shall be put to death.

Summary1. Why is Hammurabi’s Code

significant?2. How can primary sources help you

to study history?

Regents Prep

www.RegentsPrep.org