Mesopotamian Law & Government
The ancient Mesopotamians created a government that was both a monarchy and a democracy. A king ruled over the people, but there was also an elected group of officials, known as an Assembly, that ruled too. The king was often required to look to the Assembly in order to declare certain things. Clay tablets were used to record all contracts, deeds, laws, and court decisions. The king often ruled by divine authority. This stone slab depicts King Hammurabi standing before Shamash, the god of justice.
Shamash is handing him a ring and a rod, symbols of kingship and divine power. This reinforces the theory that the kings and laws came from the gods. The kings had an extensive group of slaves, which started the ancient Middle Eastern tradition of slave trading.
Shamash is handing him a ring and a rod, symbols of kingship and divine power. This reinforces the theory that the kings and laws came from the gods. The kings had an extensive group of slaves, which started the ancient Middle Eastern tradition of slave trading.