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1771 BCE
The Code of Hammurabi (part 1)
In Babylon, there was a Babylonian king named Hammurabi who ruled from 1792 to 1750 BC. Throughout Hammurabi's reign, he conquered many cities above and below Babylon, expanding what was then known as the Babylonian Empire. While Hammurabi was king, he created the law code known as Hammurabi's Code. HIs number of laws were made to control the actions of his people. All of his laws covered almost everything there was for day to day life in that time period. -
1771 BCE
The Code of Hammurabi (part 2)
Hammurabi had as many as 300 laws discussing a wide range of subjects, and there are harsh death penalties for over 30 of them. As cruel as they are, the code was agreed by the general public for everyone to follow, meaning no one can be an exemption of the law. An example of a harsh consequence is law 6; "if anyone steals the property of a temple or the court, he shall be put to death, and also the one who receives the stolen thing from him shall be put to death. -
1771 BCE
The Code of Hammurabi (part 3)
Many of these laws were prescribed punishments. A very popular law made by Hammurabi is law 196; "if a man put out the eye of another man, his eye shall be out out". Although when analyzing the laws that follow, the consequence slightly changes based on how severe it was and status of the people. An example of how Hammurabi's code ties into today's laws are that they both offer a variety of punishments based on severity and protection of property. -
527
The Code of Justinian (part 1)
In 527 AD, emperor Justinian I started to plan ways he could make the Byzantine Empire as great as the Roman Empire had been before him. Justinian noticed that the old Roman laws were a mess, so his goal was to organize them and make the laws accessible for everyone. To do this, Justinian chose 10 men to read 1600 books of previous Roman law and select certain laws to make a simpler legal code. The 10 men were able to create the Justinian code, using a little over 4000 laws. -
527
The Code of Justinian (part 2)
Many of the selected laws reflected the point of view from Theodora, Justinian's wife. Theodora encouraged her husband to create laws that supported women. Some of these laws were allowing parents to leave property to their daughters, improving women's rights, and how women were innocent until proven guilty. Theodora's assistance made quite the impact for Justinian's code, believing that jobs should be given based on ability instead of social class. -
527
The Code of Justinian (part 3)
The code of Justinian was used as the foundation for many European legal systems, and was a great influence on today's legal system. Obviously, the laws had changed and altered to fit today's time, but the ways of practicing and enforcing the law stays pretty similar. Justinian's Code considered the basis of civil law and emphasized equality for all. -
1066
Common Law (part 1)
In 1066, William, Duke of Normandy, took over England and established the feudal system. The feudal system was used to divide society into distinct classes depending on their functions and what they were born into. There was a king positioned at the top, and peasants positioned at the bottom. The king had a team of judges who roamed the country settling cases. These judges would rely on previous laws and decisions to help them make their decisions. -
1066
Common Law (part 2)
This became case law, which is used in common law. Common law was implemented in America when colonization began and is still used today. An example of early common law was when William, Duke of Normandy, successfully invaded and killed the current King of England, Harold II. The result of this made William became the King of England by the right of conquest, and the right of conquest was used for hundreds of years to follow. -
1190
The Great Law of Peace (part 3)
The Great Law of Peace planted the seeds that led to the formation of the United States, and it's representative democracy, which influenced Canadian government today. -
1190
The Great Law of Peace (part 1)
The Great Law of Peace was constructed by spokesman Hiawatha and Great Peacemaker Dekanawidah in the Iroquois Confederacy around 1190. The Iroquois confederacy at the time was made out of 5 separate nations, and these nations had conflict with each other. Hiawatha and the peacemaker wanted to unite the tribes together. To do this, they had to visit all the tribes and explain to them that being allied together would be beneficial for everybody. -
1190
The Great Law of Peace (part 2)
At first, the laws were not in written language, they were passed down orally and the through the use of wampum belts. Wampum belts are delicately beaded belts made of clam shells. These belts conveyed meaning and presented as a part of narrative noting laws. The laws, called a constitution, are divided into 117 articles. A law from the GLP says 'Your heart shall be filled with peace and good will'. It's very spiritual and for the good heart of man. -
1215
The Magna Carta (part 1)
In 1215, the Magna Carta introduced the Rule of Law in England, originally issued by King John as a solution to past political crisis. Before the Magna Carta, kings ran wild. As they were not subject to the law. To stop this abuse in power, the king had to sign the Magna Carta which stated that EVERYONE had to follow the law, and the king couldn't abuse his subjects to remove their rights. -
1215
The Magna Carta (part 2)
The Rule of Law that came from this shown great importance because it was a principal that law should equally govern leaders too. The government would be controlled and everyone would be treated equally. the Magna Carta is seen today as a foundation of accountability, popular democracy, and the engagement of all citizens. The Magna Carta helped form our rights. -
French Civil Code (part 2)
The laws made in the French Civil Code influenced the making of other civil codes throughout many other European civilizations and countries around the world. In Canada, Quebec is the only provinces that continues to use this code, while all the other provinces and territories use common law. Having Quebec as the only bi-juridical province, the French Civil Code helps them regulate civil scenarios. -
French Civil Code (part 1)
The French Civil Code, also known as the Napoleonic Code was created in France at the year 1804 by First Consul Napoleon Bonaparte. The code was introduced to areas under France's control. Examples of these areas were Belgium, parts of western Germany, and northwest Italy, and all other places Napoleon conquered. France set laws focusing on family life, ownership of property, and individual rights and freedoms. The laws were to help give civilizations under France law order and peace.
