BRONZEAGELAWS:Partofbecomingacivilizationishavinglaws.

TEAMINSTRUCTIONS:
Splithalfyourteamtoreadtheprimarysource,theBayblonianCodeof
Hammurabi(Mesopotamian):thatstartsonPage620.Otherhalfreads
thesecondarysourceonEgyptPg15below.Forbothsources,the
subteamsshouldsplitthereadingamongthesubteam.Whenboth
subteamsareready,comebacktogethertofilloutyourownvennchart.

SECONDARYSOURCE:Women'sLegalRightsinAncientEgypt
byJanetH.Johnson,Ph.D.UniversityofChicago

FromourearliestpreservedrecordsintheOldKingdomon,theformallegalstatusofEgyptian
women(whetherunmarried,married,divorcedorwidowed)wasnearlyidenticalwiththatof
Egyptianmen.Differencesinsocialstatusbetweenindividualsareevidentinalmostallproducts
ofthisancientculture:itsart,itstexts,itsarchaeologicalrecord.Inthetextualrecord,menwere
distinguishedbythetypeofjobtheyheld,andfromwhichtheyderivedstatus,"clout,"and
income.Butmostwomendidnotholdjobsoutsidethehomeandconsequentlywereusually
referredtobymoregenerictitlessuchas"mistressofthehouse"or"citizeness."Womenwere
alsofrequentlyidentifiedbygivingthenameandtitlesoftheirhusbandorfather,fromwhom,
presumably,theyderivedtheirsocialstatus.ThustheNewKingdomliterarytextentitled"The
Instructionsof(amannamed)Any"state,"Awomanisaskedaboutherhusband,amanis
askedabouthisrank."

FunerarystatuettesofahusbandandwifefromthetombofNykauinpu
fromGiza(Dynasty5,ca.2477B.C.).

Butinthelegalarenabothwomenandmencouldactontheirownand
wereresponsiblefortheirownactions.Thisisinsharpcontrastwith
someotherancientsocieties,e.g.,ancientGreece,wherewomendidnot
havetheirownlegalidentity,werenotallowedtoown(real)propertyand,
inordertoparticipateinthelegalsystem,alwayshadtoworkthrougha
male,usuallytheirclosestmalerelative(father,brother,husband,son)
whowascalledtheir"lord."Egyptianwomenwereabletoacquire,to
own,andtodisposeofproperty(bothrealandpersonal)intheirownname.Theycouldenter
intocontractsintheirownnametheycouldinitiatecivilcourtcasesandcould,likewise,be
suedtheycouldserveaswitnessesincourtcasestheycouldserveonjuriesandtheycould
witnesslegaldocuments.Thatwomenveryrarelydidserveonjuriesoraswitnessestolegal
documentsisaresultofsocialfactors,notlegalones.

Thegreatdisparitybetweenthesocialandlegalstatusofwomencanbeobservedinboth
documentaryandliterarymaterials.Forinstance,intheliterarytextentitled"TheInstructionsof

the(Vizier)Ptahhotep,"preservedinMiddleKingdomandlatercopies,aman'swifeisseen
basicallyasadependent,ofwhomitbehooveshimtotakegood,andloving,care:

Whenyouprosperandfoundyourhouseandloveyourwifewithardor,fillherbelly,
clotheherbackointmentsoothesherbody.Gladdenherheartaslongasyouliveshe
isafertilefieldforherlord.
Butnextcomesajarringstatement:
Donotcontendwithherincourt.Keepherfrompower,restrainherhereyeisherstorm
whenshegazes.Thuswillyoumakeherstayinyourhouse.

Thisreferencetocontendingwithone'swifeincourtclearlyindicatesthatwomenhadlegal
rightsandwerewillingtofightforthem.Thisdistinctionbetweenthelegalstatusofwomenin
ancientEgyptandtheirpublicorsocialstatusisofmajorimportanceinunderstandinghowthe
Egyptiansystemactuallyworked.

Egyptiancivillaw(lawsthatgovernhowpeopleinteractwithotherpeople)
TheEgyptianwordwhichmostcorrespondstoourword"law"(ofwhichapossibledefinitionis:
asystemofrights,i.e.,individualclaims,whichareenforcedbythe"state"iftheyconformto
certainconditions)ishp,whichcanalsoconnotecustom,order,justice,orright,accordingtoits
usage.InancientEgyptalllawwasgivenfromabovetherewasno"legislature"whichwould
draft"legislation."InaNewKingdomcourtcase,amancitesthe"lawofPharaoh"asprecedent
andinanother,whencitingthelawamansays,"TheKingsaid,..."Thus,"law"istheking's
word(wdnswt).

ContractswerewrittencopiesoforalagreementsinwhichPartyAspoketoPartyBinthe
presenceofwitnessesanda(professional)scribewhocopieddown(andputinto"legalese")the
wordsofPartyA.AlthoughonlyPartyAspoke,PartyBhadtherighttoacceptorrefusethe
contract,thusmakingtheseagreementsbilateralandbindingonbothparties.Copiesof
contractsconcerningrealpropertywerefiledinthelocalrecordsoffice,undertheultimate
jurisdictionofthevizier.Thesepublicrecordsmadeitpossibleforthestatetoknowwhowas
responsibleforpayingtaxesonthelandthedocumentswerealsoavailableforconsultationin
anysubsequentlawsuit.

Civillawsuitsinvolvedanoralpetitiontothecourtbyaprivateindividual.Thebestknown
exampleofalocalcourtistheoneatDeirelMedina,theNewKingdomvillageonthewestbank
oftheNileatmodernLuxor,ancientThebes,inhabitedbytheworkmenwhocarvedand
decoratedtheroyaltombsintheValleyoftheKings.Thiscourtwascomposedoflocalpeople,
usuallytherelativelyimportantlocalcitizensincludingthescribesandcrewchiefs,butalso
somesimpleworkmenand,evenmorerarely,women.Egyptianjudgesbasedtheirdecisionson
traditionsandprecedentandkeptcopiesoftheirdecisions.

Theearliestcontractsofwhichwehaverecordareimytprdocuments,literally"thatwhichisin
thehouse."Thesecontractsfrequentlyhavebeenidentifiedas"wills,"butabettertranslationis

"(land)transferdocument."Theywereusedtotransferpropertytosomeoneotherthanthe
person(s)whowouldinheritthepropertyiftheownerdiedintestate(i.e.,withoutawill).These
documentsweresealedandfiledorrecordedinacentralgovernmentoffice.

ThereisafairamountofOldKingdomevidenceforwomenintheeconomyor"publicsphere,"
includingwomenshownasmerchantsinmarketscenesandwomenactingaspriestesses,
especiallyforthegoddessHathor.MuchoftheNewKingdomevidencefortheeconomicroleof
womencomesfromdocumentsreflectingtheirdealingswithbothmenandwomen.Thatthe
governmentwasalsoperfectlywillingtodealwithwomenisindicatedbyPapyrusWilbour,a
longtextrecording"taxes"dueonfarmlandeachpieceoflandisidentifiedbyownerand(if
different)bythepersonworkingtheland.Ofthe2,110parcelsoflandforwhichthenameofthe
ownerispreserved,womenarelistedasownersof228,justover10percenttheland
frequentlyisdescribedasbeingworkedbytheirchildren.Howeverthesewomenoriginally
acquiredthisland,whatissignificantisthattheyholdtitletothelandandbearresponsibilityfor
assessmentsdue.

Property
ItshouldbenotedthattheEgyptiansnotonlyhadaconceptofprivateproperty,theyalso
developedaconceptof"jointproperty,"propertyacquiredbyamarriedcoupleduringtheir
marriage.Thehusbandhaduseofthejointproperty,meaninghecoulddisposeofjointproperty
withouthiswife'spermission.Butifahusbandsoldorotherwisedisposedofapieceofjoint
property(orofanyofhiswife'spropertywhichshebroughtwithhertothemarriage),hewas
legallyliabletoprovidehiswifewithsomethingofequalvalue.Thatitisthehusbandwhohas
useofjointpropertyreflectsthesocialfactthatmennormallyparticipatedinthepublicsphere,
whereaswomendidnot.

ThelegalindependenceandidentityofEgyptianwomenisreflectednotonlyinthefactthatthey
coulddealwithpropertyonthesametermsthatmendidandthattheycouldmakethe
appropriatecontractsintheirownnames,butalsointhefactthattheythemselveswereheld
accountableforeconomictransactionsandcontractsintowhichtheyhadentered.

Inonecase,awomannamedIrynefretwaschargedwithillegallyusingsilverandatomb
belongingtoawomannamedBakMuttohelppayforthepurchaseofaservantgirl.Irynefret
wasbroughttocourtandtoldinherownwordshowsheacquiredthegirl,listingalltheitems
whichshegavethemerchantaspriceforthegirlandidentifyingtheindividualsfromwhomshe
boughtsomeoftheitemsusedinthispurchase.Shehadtoswearanoathbeforethejudgesin
thenamesofthegodAmonandtheRuler.Thejudgesthenhadthecomplainantproduce
witnesses(threemenandthreewomen)whowouldattestthatshehadusedstolenpropertyto
purchasethegirl.Theendofthepapyrusrecordingthecourtcaseislost,butitisclearthatthe
womanIrynefretactedonherowninpurchasingtheservantgirlandwasheldsolelyliablefor
heractionswhilethetestimonyofbothwomenandmenwasheldbythejudgestobeequally
admissible.

Marriageandfamilylaw
MarriageinancientEgyptwasatotallyprivateaffairinwhichthestatetooknointerestandof
whichthestatekeptnorecord.Thereisnoevidenceforanylegalorreligiousceremony
establishingthemarriage,althoughtherewasprobablyaparty.Thepreservedportionofthe
firstLatePeriodstoryofSetneKhaemwasttellshowAhureandNaneferkaPtahfellinlove
andwantedtomarry.Theirparentsagreed,soAhurewastakentoNaneferkaPtah'shouse,
people(especiallythefatherofthebride)gavepresents,therewasabigparty,thetwoslept
together,andthentheylivedtogetherandhadachild.Butbasicallymarriagewasanagreement
bytwopeople,andtheirfamilies,thattheywouldlivetogether(hmsirm),establishahousehold
(grgpr),andhaveafamily.Thesamevocabularywasusedforbothwomenandmen.Although
mostmarriagesmayhavebeenarrangedatthedesireofthehusbandandparentsofthebride,
thereisalsoarepeatedliteraryimageofagirlpersuadingherfathertolethermarrytheman
whomshewishes,ratherthanthefather'schoice.

Modernscholarshaveanalyzedtheroleofwomeninmanysocieties,ancienttomodern,asthat
ofacommodity,soldbythefatherandboughtbythehusband.SomeEgyptianevidencecould
suggestthatthiswasorhadbeentrueinEgypt,aswell.Forinstance,amanmightgiveagiftto
hisprospectivefatherinlaw,whichcouldbeinterpretedas"buying"theman'sdaughteraswife.
Butthegiftwhichamanmightgivetohisfuturefatherinlawhasalsobeenanalyzedasserving
tobreakthebondsofthewomanwithherbiologicalfamily,sothatthenewcouplecould
establishtheirownfamilyasthecenteroftheirlifeandloyalty.

Althoughwomenwerelegallytheequalsofmen,andcoulddealwithpropertyonequalterms
withmen,thesocialandpublicroleofwomenwasvastlydifferentfromthatofmen.Although
thereareexampleswherethewifeofacoupleisstrongerormoreimportantthanthehusband
(byfamily,fortune,orpersonality),mostEgyptianstendedtomarryapersonfromtheirown
socialclassthus,awomanfrequentlywouldmarryamaninthesameorsimilarprofessionas
herfatherandbrother(s).Thisresultednotfromformallawsorrestrictionsbutsimply,
presumably,fromthefactthatthiswasthegroupofpeoplewithwhomonehadthemostcontact
andwithwhomonewasmostcomfortable.

Divorce
DivorceandremarriagewerecommoninEgyptatallperiodsandcontentionbetweensiblings
andhalfsiblings,frequent.Tostresstheclosenatureofsiblings,bothliteraryanddocumentary
sourcesfrequentlyspecifythattheysharebothmotherandfather.Toresolvepotentialdisputes
beforetheymightarise,thesomewhatpracticalorpragmaticexpediencywaschosenofmaking
itincumbentonthefathertosecurethepermissionofhisolderchildren,whostoodtolosepart
oftheirinheritance.Sincemen,evenfullgrownmen,remainedeconomicallydependentontheir
parents,andespeciallytheirfathers,untiltheparentsdied,itwouldalsobeinthebestinterests
ofthesontoagreetohisfather'sremarriage(andnotriskruptureandcompletedisinheritance).
Thus,everybody'swantsorneedsweresatisfiedbygettingeveryonetoagreetowhatatleast
somepeoplewanted.Thispatternfitswiththeobservationthatagreementandresolutionof

conflict,ratherthan"abstractjustice,"oftenseemtohavebeentheaimofEgyptiancourt
decisions.

Divorceandremarriageseemtohavebeenrelativelyeasyandrelativelycommon.Thereislittle
convincingevidenceforpolygamy,exceptbytheking,butextensiveevidencefor"serial
monogamy."Eitherpartycoulddivorceaspouseonanygroundsor,basically,withoutgrounds,
withoutanyinterestorrecordonthepartofthestate.Thevocabularyfordivorce,likethatfor
marriage,reflectedthefactthatmarriagewas,basically,livingtogetheraman"left,abandoned"
awomanawoman"went(awayfrom)"or"left,abandoned"aman.

Althoughneitherpartyhadtoprovidelegal(orsocial,moralorethical)groundsfordivorce,the
economicresponsibilitiesspelledoutintheannuitycontractsmadethisaseriousstep.Thus,
normallyamarriedwomanwassupportedbyherhusbandforaslongastheyremainedmarried
andhispropertywasentailedfortheirchildren.Sinceevenremarriageafterthedeathofafirst
wifecouldleadtowranglingoverpropertyandinheritancerights,abitterdivorceandremarriage
couldleadtomajorlegalcontests.

Ifamandivorcedhiswife,hehadtoreturnherdowry(ifshehadbroughtone)andpayhera
fineifshedivorcedhim,therewasnofine.Aspousedivorcedforfault(includingadultery)
forfeitedhisorhershareofthecouple'sjointproperty.Afterdivorce,bothwerefreetoremarry.
Butitseemsclearthat,untilthehusbandhasreturnedhiswife'sdowryandpaidherthefine,or
untilshehasacceptedit,thehusbandremainedliableforsupportingher,eveniftheywereno
longerlivingtogether.Some(ex)husbands,thenasnow,triedtoavoidsupportingtheir
(ex)wives,andwehaveseveralreferencestoawoman'sbiologicalfamilysteppinginto
supportorassistherwhenherhusbandcan'torwon't.

TheancientEgyptianconceptofadulteryconsistedofamarriedpersonhavingsexwith
someoneotherthanthatperson'sspouse.Itwasjustas"wrong"foramantocommitadultery
asforawoman.TheEgyptiansystemwasfamilycentered,andtheterminologyformarriage
anddivorcewasthesameforbothsexesadulterywasdefinedinfamilytermsandcondemned
forbothmenandwomen,andsexbyunmarriedindividualsseemsnottohavebeenamajor
concern.

Thisbriefoverviewonwomen'srights,whichhasnecessarilyomittedmanyquestionsandmuch
detail,onlytouchesuponthecomplexitiesofthisancientculture,wherewomen'sremarkable
legalequalityandabilitytoownanddisposeofpropertymustbeseeninthelightofthesocial
worldinwhichtheylivedaworlddominated,atleastintherangeofrecordswhichhavebeen
preservedforus,bymenandmen'sconcerns.

ABOUTTHEAUTHOR:JanetH.Johnson,professorofEgyptologyintheOrientalInstituteanddepartmentofNearEasternlanguagesandcivilizationsatthe
UniversityofChicago,isalsoamemberoftheuniversitycommitteesontheancientMediterraneanworld,Jewishstudies,andgenderstudies.


PRIMARYSOURCE:TheCodeofHammurabi
TranslatedbyL.W.King

LAWSofjusticewhichHammurabi,thewiseking,established.Arighteouslaw,and
piousstatutedidheteachtheland.Hammurabi,theprotectingkingamI.Ihavenot
withdrawnmyselffromthemen,whomBelgavetome,theruleoverwhomMarduk
gavetome,Iwasnotnegligent,butImadethemapeacefulabidingplace.Iexpounded
allgreatdifficulties,Imadethelightshineuponthem.Withthemightyweaponswhich
ZamamaandIshtarentrustedtome,withthekeenvisionwithwhichEaendowedme,
withthewisdomthatMardukgaveme,Ihaveuprootedtheenemyaboveandbelow(in
northandsouth),subduedtheearth,broughtprosperitytotheland,guaranteedsecurity
totheinhabitantsintheirhomesadisturberwasnotpermitted.Thegreatgodshave
calledme,Iamthesalvationbearingshepherd,whosestaffisstraight,thegood
shadowthatisspreadovermycityonmybreastIcherishtheinhabitantsofthelandof
SumerandAkkadinmyshelterIhaveletthemreposeinpeaceinmydeepwisdom
haveIenclosedthem.Thatthestrongmightnotinjuretheweak,inordertoprotectthe
widowsandorphans,IhaveinBabylonthecitywhereAnuandBelraisehightheir
head,inESagil,theTemple,whosefoundationsstandfirmasheavenandearth,in
ordertobespeakjusticeintheland,tosettlealldisputes,andhealallinjuries,setup
thesemypreciouswords,writtenuponmymemorialstone,beforetheimageofme,as
kingofrighteousness.

1.Ifanyoneensnareanother,puttingabanuponhim,buthecannotproveit,thenhethat
ensnaredhimshallbeputtodeath.
2.Ifanyonebringanaccusationagainstaman,andtheaccusedgototheriverandleapinto
theriver,ifhesinkintheriverhisaccusershalltakepossessionofhishouse.Butiftheriverprove
thattheaccusedisnotguilty,andheescapeunhurt,thenhewhohadbroughttheaccusationshall
beputtodeath,whilehewholeapedintotherivershalltakepossessionofthehousethathad
belongedtohisaccuser.
3.Ifanyonebringanaccusationofanycrimebeforetheelders,anddoesnotprovewhathehas
charged,heshall,ifitbeacapitaloffensecharged,beputtodeath.
4.Ifhesatisfytheelderstoimposeafineofgrainormoney,heshallreceivethefinethatthe
actionproduces.
5.Ifajudgetryacase,reachadecision,andpresenthisjudgmentinwritingiflatererrorshall
appearinhisdecision,anditbethroughhisownfault,thenheshallpaytwelvetimesthefinesetby

himinthecase,andheshallbepubliclyremovedfromthejudge'sbench,andneveragainshallhe
sittheretorenderjudgement.
6.Ifanyonestealthepropertyofatempleorofthecourt,heshallbeputtodeath,andalsothe
onewhoreceivesthestolenthingfromhimshallbeputtodeath.
7.Ifanyonebuyfromthesonortheslaveofanotherman,withoutwitnessesoracontract,
silverorgold,amaleorfemaleslave,anoxorasheep,anassoranything,orifhetakeitincharge,
heisconsideredathiefandshallbeputtodeath.
8.Ifanyonestealcattleorsheep,oranass,orapigoragoat,ifitbelongtoagodortothe
court,thethiefshallpaythirtyfoldthereforiftheybelongedtoafreedmanofthekingheshallpay
tenfoldifthethiefhasnothingwithwhichtopayheshallbeputtodeath.
9.Ifanyoneloseanarticle,andfinditinthepossessionofanother:ifthepersoninwhose
possessionthethingisfoundsay"Amerchantsoldittome,Ipaidforitbeforewitnesses,"andifthe
ownerofthethingsay,"Iwillbringwitnesseswhoknowmyproperty,"thenshallthepurchaserbring
themerchantwhosoldittohim,andthewitnessesbeforewhomheboughtit,andtheownershall
bringwitnesseswhocanidentifyhisproperty.Thejudgeshallexaminetheirtestimonybothofthe
witnessesbeforewhomthepricewaspaid,andofthewitnesseswhoidentifythelostarticleonoath.
Themerchantisthenprovedtobeathiefandshallbeputtodeath.Theownerofthelostarticle
receiveshisproperty,andhewhoboughtitreceivesthemoneyhepaidfromtheestateofthe
merchant.
10.Ifthepurchaserdoesnotbringthemerchantandthewitnessesbeforewhomheboughtthe
article,butitsownerbringwitnesseswhoidentifyit,thenthebuyeristhethiefandshallbeputto
death,andtheownerreceivesthelostarticle.
11.Iftheownerdonotbringwitnessestoidentifythelostarticle,heisanevildoer,hehas
traduced,andshallbeputtodeath.
12.Ifthewitnessesbenotathand,thenshallthejudgesetalimit,attheexpirationofsix
months.Ifhiswitnesseshavenotappearedwithinthesixmonths,heisanevildoer,andshallbear
thefineofthependingcase.
14.Ifanyonestealtheminorsonofanother,heshallbeputtodeath.
15.Ifanyonetakeamaleorfemaleslaveofthecourt,oramaleorfemaleslaveofafreedman,
outsidethecitygates,heshallbeputtodeath.
16.Ifanyonereceiveintohishousearunawaymaleorfemaleslaveofthecourt,orofa
freedman,anddoesnotbringitoutatthepublicproclamationofthemajordomus,themasterofthe
houseshallbeputtodeath.
17.Ifanyonefindrunawaymaleorfemaleslavesintheopencountryandbringthemtotheir
masters,themasteroftheslavesshallpayhimtwoshekelsofsilver.
18.Iftheslavewillnotgivethenameofthemaster,thefindershallbringhimtothepalacea
furtherinvestigationmustfollow,andtheslaveshallbereturnedtohismaster.
19.Ifheholdtheslavesinhishouse,andtheyarecaughtthere,heshallbeputtodeath.
20.Iftheslavethathecaughtrunawayfromhim,thenshallhesweartotheownersoftheslave,
andheisfreeofallblame.
21.Ifanyonebreakaholeintoahouse(breakintosteal),heshallbeputtodeathbeforethat
holeandbeburied.
22.Ifanyoneiscommittingarobberyandiscaught,thenheshallbeputtodeath.

23.Iftherobberisnotcaught,thenshallhewhowasrobbedclaimunderoaththeamountofhis
lossthenshallthecommunity,and...onwhosegroundandterritoryandinwhosedomainitwas
compensatehimforthegoodsstolen.
24.Ifpersonsarestolen,thenshallthecommunityand...payoneminaofsilvertotheir
relatives.
25.Iffirebreakoutinahouse,andsomeonewhocomestoputitoutcasthiseyeuponthe
propertyoftheownerofthehouse,andtakethepropertyofthemasterofthehouse,heshallbe
thrownintothatselfsamefire.
26.Ifachieftainoraman(commonsoldier),whohasbeenorderedtogoupontheking's
highwayforwardoesnotgo,buthiresamercenary,ifhewithholdsthecompensation,thenshallthis
officerormanbeputtodeath,andhewhorepresentedhimshalltakepossessionofhishouse.
27.Ifachieftainormanbecaughtinthemisfortuneoftheking(capturedinbattle),andifhis
fieldsandgardenbegiventoanotherandhetakepossession,ifhereturnandreacheshisplace,his
fieldandgardenshallbereturnedtohim,heshalltakeitoveragain.
28.Ifachieftainoramanbecaughtinthemisfortuneofaking,ifhissonisabletoenterinto
possession,thenthefieldandgardenshallbegiventohim,heshalltakeoverthefeeofhisfather.
29.Ifhissonisstillyoung,andcannottakepossession,athirdofthefieldandgardenshallbe
giventohismother,andsheshallbringhimup.
30.Ifachieftainoramanleavehishouse,garden,andfieldandhiresitout,andsomeoneelse
takespossessionofhishouse,garden,andfieldandusesitforthreeyears:ifthefirstownerreturn
andclaimshishouse,garden,andfield,itshallnotbegiventohim,buthewhohastaken
possessionofitanduseditshallcontinuetouseit.
31.Ifhehireitoutforoneyearandthenreturn,thehouse,garden,andfieldshallbegivenback
tohim,andheshalltakeitoveragain.
32.Ifachieftainoramaniscapturedonthe"WayoftheKing"(inwar),andamerchantbuyhim
free,andbringhimbacktohisplaceifhehavethemeansinhishousetobuyhisfreedom,heshall
buyhimselffree:ifhehavenothinginhishousewithwhichtobuyhimselffree,heshallbebought
freebythetempleofhiscommunityiftherebenothinginthetemplewithwhichtobuyhimfree,the
courtshallbuyhisfreedom.Hisfield,garden,andhouseshallnotbegivenforthepurchaseofhis
freedom.
33.Ifa...ora...enterhimselfaswithdrawnfromthe"WayoftheKing,"andsenda
mercenaryassubstitute,butwithdrawhim,thenthe...or...shallbeputtodeath.
34.Ifa...ora...harmthepropertyofacaptain,injurethecaptain,ortakeawayfromthe
captainagiftpresentedtohimbytheking,thenthe...or...shallbeputtodeath.
35.Ifanyonebuythecattleorsheepwhichthekinghasgiventochieftainsfromhim,heloses
hismoney.
36.Thefield,garden,andhouseofachieftain,ofaman,orofonesubjecttoquitrent,cannot
besold.
37.Ifanyonebuythefield,garden,andhouseofachieftain,man,oronesubjecttoquitrent,
hiscontracttabletofsaleshallbebroken(declaredinvalid)andheloseshismoney.Thefield,
garden,andhousereturntotheirowners.
38.Achieftain,man,oronesubjecttoquitrentcannotassignhistenureoffield,house,and
gardentohiswifeordaughter,norcanheassignitforadebt.

39.Hemay,however,assignafield,garden,orhousewhichhehasbought,andholdsas
property,tohiswifeordaughterorgiveitfordebt.
40.Hemaysellfield,garden,andhousetoamerchant(royalagents)ortoanyotherpublic
official,thebuyerholdingfield,house,andgardenforitsusufruct.
41.Ifanyonefenceinthefield,garden,andhouseofachieftain,man,oronesubjectto
quitrent,furnishingthepalingsthereforifthechieftain,man,oronesubjecttoquitrentreturnto
field,garden,andhouse,thepalingswhichweregiventohimbecomehisproperty.
42.Ifanyonetakeoverafieldtotillit,andobtainnoharvesttherefrom,itmustbeprovedthat
hedidnoworkonthefield,andhemustdelivergrain,justashisneighborraised,totheownerofthe
field.
43.Ifhedonottillthefield,butletitliefallow,heshallgivegrainlikehisneighbor'stotheowner
ofthefield,andthefieldwhichheletliefallowhemustplowandsowandreturntoitsowner.
44.Ifanyonetakeoverawastelyingfieldtomakeitarable,butislazy,anddoesnotmakeit
arable,heshallplowthefallowfieldinthefourthyear,harrowitandtillit,andgiveitbacktoits
owner,andforeachtengan(ameasureofarea)tengurofgrainshallbepaid.
45.Ifamanrenthisfieldfortillageforafixedrental,andreceivetherentofhisfield,butbad
weathercomeanddestroytheharvest,theinjuryfallsuponthetillerofthesoil.
46.Ifhedonotreceiveafixedrentalforhisfield,butletsitonhalforthirdsharesoftheharvest,
thegrainonthefieldshallbedividedproportionatelybetweenthetillerandtheowner.
47.Ifthetiller,becausehedidnotsucceedinthefirstyear,hashadthesoiltilledbyothers,the
ownermayraisenoobjectionthefieldhasbeencultivatedandhereceivestheharvestaccordingto
agreement.
48.Ifanyoneoweadebtforaloan,andastormprostratesthegrain,ortheharvestfail,orthe
graindoesnotgrowforlackofwaterinthatyearheneednotgivehiscreditoranygrain,hewashes
hisdebttabletinwaterandpaysnorentforthisyear.
49.Ifanyonetakemoneyfromamerchant,andgivethemerchantafieldtillableforcornor
sesameandorderhimtoplantcornorsesameinthefield,andtoharvestthecropifthecultivator
plantcornorsesameinthefield,attheharvestthecornorsesamethatisinthefieldshallbelongto
theownerofthefieldandheshallpaycornasrent,forthemoneyhereceivedfromthemerchant,
andthelivelihoodofthecultivatorshallhegivetothemerchant.
50.Ifhegiveacultivatedcornfieldoracultivatedsesamefield,thecornorsesameinthefield
shallbelongtotheownerofthefield,andheshallreturnthemoneytothemerchantasrent.
51.Ifhehavenomoneytorepay,thenheshallpayincornorsesameinplaceofthemoneyas
rentforwhathereceivedfromthemerchant,accordingtotheroyaltariff.
52.Ifthecultivatordonotplantcornorsesameinthefield,thedebtor'scontractisnot
weakened.
53.Ifanyonebetoolazytokeephisdaminpropercondition,anddoesnotsokeepitifthen
thedambreakandallthefieldsbeflooded,thenshallheinwhosedamthebreakoccurredbesold
formoney,andthemoneyshallreplacethecornwhichhehascausedtoberuined.
54.Ifhebenotabletoreplacethecorn,thenheandhispossessionsshallbedividedamongthe
farmerswhosecornhehasflooded.
55.Ifanyoneopenhisditchestowaterhiscrop,butiscareless,andthewaterfloodthefieldof
hisneighbor,thenheshallpayhisneighborcornforhisloss.

56.Ifamanletinthewater,andthewateroverflowtheplantationofhisneighbor,heshallpay
tengurofcornforeverytenganofland.
57.Ifashepherd,withoutthepermissionoftheownerofthefield,andwithouttheknowledgeof
theownerofthesheep,letsthesheepintoafieldtograze,thentheownerofthefieldshallharvest
hiscrop,andtheshepherd,whohadpasturedhisflocktherewithoutpermissionoftheownerofthe
field,shallpaytotheownertwentygurofcornforeverytengan.
58.Ifaftertheflockshaveleftthepastureandbeenshutupinthecommonfoldatthecitygate,
anyshepherdletthemintoafieldandtheygrazethere,thisshepherdshalltakepossessionofthe
fieldwhichhehasallowedtobegrazedon,andattheharvesthemustpaysixtygurofcornfor
everytengan.
59.Ifanyman,withouttheknowledgeoftheownerofagarden,fellatreeinagardenheshall
payhalfaminainmoney.
60.Ifanyonegiveoverafieldtoagardener,forhimtoplantitasagarden,ifheworkatit,and
careforitforfouryears,inthefifthyeartheownerandthegardenershalldivideit,theownertaking
hispartincharge.
61.Ifthegardenerhasnotcompletedtheplantingofthefield,leavingonepartunused,thisshall
beassignedtohimashis.
62.Ifhedonotplantthefieldthatwasgivenovertohimasagarden,ifitbearableland(for
cornorsesame)thegardenershallpaytheownertheproduceofthefieldfortheyearsthatheletit
liefallow,accordingtotheproductofneighboringfields,putthefieldinarableconditionandreturnit
toitsowner.
63.Ifhetransformwastelandintoarablefieldsandreturnittoitsowner,thelattershallpayhim
foroneyeartengurfortengan.
64.Ifanyonehandoverhisgardentoagardenertowork,thegardenershallpaytoitsowner
twothirdsoftheproduceofthegarden,forsolongashehasitinpossession,andtheotherthird
shallhekeep.
65.Ifthegardenerdonotworkinthegardenandtheproductfalloff,thegardenershallpayin
proportiontootherneighboringgardens.[Hereaportionofthetextismissing,apparentlycomprising
thirtyfourparagraphs.]
100....interestforthemoney,asmuchashehasreceived,heshallgiveanotetherefor,and
ontheday,whentheysettle,paytothemerchant.
101.Iftherearenomercantilearrangementsintheplacewhitherhewent,heshallleavethe
entireamountofmoneywhichhereceivedwiththebrokertogivetothemerchant.
102.Ifamerchantentrustmoneytoanagent(broker)forsomeinvestment,andthebroker
sufferalossintheplacetowhichhegoes,heshallmakegoodthecapitaltothemerchant.
103.If,whileonthejourney,anenemytakeawayfromhimanythingthathehad,thebroker
shallswearbyGodandbefreeofobligation.
104.Ifamerchantgiveanagentcorn,wool,oil,oranyothergoodstotransport,theagentshall
giveareceiptfortheamount,andcompensatethemerchanttherefor.Thenheshallobtainareceipt
formthemerchantforthemoneythathegivesthemerchant.
105.Iftheagentiscareless,anddoesnottakeareceiptforthemoneywhichhegavethe
merchant,hecannotconsidertheunreceiptedmoneyashisown.

106.Iftheagentacceptmoneyfromthemerchant,buthaveaquarrelwiththemerchant
(denyingthereceipt),thenshallthemerchantswearbeforeGodandwitnessesthathehasgiven
thismoneytotheagent,andtheagentshallpayhimthreetimesthesum.
107.Ifthemerchantcheattheagent,inthatasthelatterhasreturnedtohimallthathadbeen
givenhim,butthemerchantdeniesthereceiptofwhathadbeenreturnedtohim,thenshallthis
agentconvictthemerchantbeforeGodandthejudges,andifhestilldenyreceivingwhattheagent
hadgivenhimshallpaysixtimesthesumtotheagent.
108.Ifatavernkeeper(feminine)doesnotacceptcornaccordingtogrossweightinpaymentof
drink,buttakesmoney,andthepriceofthedrinkislessthanthatofthecorn,sheshallbeconvicted
andthrownintothewater.
109.Ifconspiratorsmeetinthehouseofatavernkeeper,andtheseconspiratorsarenot
capturedanddeliveredtothecourt,thetavernkeepershallbeputtodeath.
110.Ifa"sisterofagod"openatavern,orenterataverntodrink,thenshallthiswomanbe
burnedtodeath.
111.Ifaninnkeeperfurnishsixtykaofusakanidrinkto...sheshallreceivefiftykaofcornat
theharvest.
112.Ifanyonebeonajourneyandentrustsilver,gold,preciousstones,oranymovable
propertytoanother,andwishtorecoveritfromhimifthelatterdonotbringallofthepropertytothe
appointedplace,butappropriateittohisownuse,thenshallthisman,whodidnotbringtheproperty
tohanditover,beconvicted,andheshallpayfivefoldforallthathadbeenentrustedtohim.
113.Ifanyonehaveconsignmentofcornormoney,andhetakefromthegranaryorboxwithout
theknowledgeoftheowner,thenshallhewhotookcornwithouttheknowledgeoftheowneroutof
thegranaryormoneyoutoftheboxbelegallyconvicted,andrepaythecornhehastaken.Andhe
shalllosewhatevercommissionwaspaidtohim,orduehim.
114.Ifamanhavenoclaimonanotherforcornandmoney,andtrytodemanditbyforce,he
shallpayonethirdofaminaofsilverineverycase.
115.Ifanyonehaveaclaimforcornormoneyuponanotherandimprisonhimiftheprisoner
dieinprisonanaturaldeath,thecaseshallgonofurther.
116.Iftheprisonerdieinprisonfromblowsormaltreatment,themasteroftheprisonershall
convictthemerchantbeforethejudge.Ifhewasafreebornman,thesonofthemerchantshallbe
puttodeathifitwasaslave,heshallpayonethirdofaminaofgold,andallthatthemasterofthe
prisonergaveheshallforfeit.
117.Ifanyonefailtomeetaclaimfordebt,andsellhimself,hiswife,hisson,anddaughterfor
moneyorgivethemawaytoforcedlabor:theyshallworkforthreeyearsinthehouseoftheman
whoboughtthem,ortheproprietor,andinthefourthyeartheyshallbesetfree.
118.Ifhegiveamaleorfemaleslaveawayforforcedlabor,andthemerchantsubleasethem,
orsellthemformoney,noobjectioncanberaised.
119.Ifanyonefailtomeetaclaimfordebt,andhesellthemaidservantwhohasbornehim
children,formoney,themoneywhichthemerchanthaspaidshallberepaidtohimbytheownerof
theslaveandsheshallbefreed.
120.Ifanyonestorecornforsafekeepinginanotherperson'shouse,andanyharmhappento
thecorninstorage,oriftheownerofthehouseopenthegranaryandtakesomeofthecorn,orif
especiallyhedenythatthecornwasstoredinhishouse:thentheownerofthecornshallclaimhis

cornbeforeGod(onoath),andtheownerofthehouseshallpayitsownerforallofthecornthathe
took.
121.Ifanyonestorecorninanotherman'shouseheshallpayhimstorageattherateofonegur
foreveryfivekaofcornperyear.
122.Ifanyonegiveanothersilver,gold,oranythingelsetokeep,heshallshoweverythingto
somewitness,drawupacontract,andthenhanditoverforsafekeeping.
123.Ifheturnitoverforsafekeepingwithoutwitnessorcontract,andifhetowhomitwasgiven
denyit,thenhehasnolegitimateclaim.
124.Ifanyonedeliversilver,gold,oranythingelsetoanotherforsafekeeping,beforea
witness,buthedenyit,heshallbebroughtbeforeajudge,andallthathehasdeniedheshallpayin
full.
125.Ifanyoneplacehispropertywithanotherforsafekeeping,andthere,eitherthrough
thievesorrobbers,hispropertyandthepropertyoftheothermanbelost,theownerofthehouse,
throughwhoseneglectthelosstookplace,shallcompensatetheownerforallthatwasgiventohim
incharge.Buttheownerofthehouseshalltrytofollowupandrecoverhisproperty,andtakeitaway
fromthethief.
126.Ifanyonewhohasnotlosthisgoodsstatethattheyhavebeenlost,andmakefalseclaims:
ifheclaimhisgoodsandamountofinjurybeforeGod,eventhoughhehasnotlostthem,heshallbe
fullycompensatedforallhislossclaimed.(I.e.,theoathisallthatisneeded.)
127.Ifanyone"pointthefinger"(slander)atasisterofagodorthewifeofanyone,andcannot
proveit,thismanshallbetakenbeforethejudgesandhisbrowshallbemarked.(bycuttingtheskin,
orperhapshair.)
128.Ifamantakeawomantowife,buthavenointercoursewithher,thiswomanisnowifeto
him.
129.Ifaman'swifebesurprised(inflagrantedelicto)withanotherman,bothshallbetiedand
thrownintothewater,butthehusbandmaypardonhiswifeandthekinghisslaves.
130.Ifamanviolatethewife(betrothedorchildwife)ofanotherman,whohasneverknowna
man,andstilllivesinherfather'shouse,andsleepwithherandbesurprised,thismanshallbeput
todeath,butthewifeisblameless.
131.Ifamanbringachargeagainstone'swife,butsheisnotsurprisedwithanotherman,she
musttakeanoathandthenmayreturntoherhouse.
132.Ifthe"fingerispointed"ataman'swifeaboutanotherman,butsheisnotcaughtsleeping
withtheotherman,sheshalljumpintotheriverforherhusband.
133.Ifamanistakenprisonerinwar,andthereisasustenanceinhishouse,buthiswifeleave
houseandcourt,andgotoanotherhouse:becausethiswifedidnotkeephercourt,andwentto
anotherhouse,sheshallbejudiciallycondemnedandthrownintothewater.
134.Ifanyonebecapturedinwarandthereisnotsustenanceinhishouse,ifthenhiswifegoto
anotherhousethiswomanshallbeheldblameless.
135.Ifamanbetakenprisonerinwarandtherebenosustenanceinhishouseandhiswifego
toanotherhouseandbearchildrenandiflaterherhusbandreturnandcometohishome:thenthis
wifeshallreturntoherhusband,butthechildrenfollowtheirfather.

136.Ifanyoneleavehishouse,runaway,andthenhiswifegotoanotherhouse,ifthenhe
return,andwishestotakehiswifeback:becausehefledfromhishomeandranaway,thewifeof
thisrunawayshallnotreturntoherhusband.
137.Ifamanwishtoseparatefromawomanwhohasbornehimchildren,orfromhiswifewho
hasbornehimchildren:thenheshallgivethatwifeherdowry,andapartoftheusufructoffield,
garden,andproperty,sothatshecanrearherchildren.Whenshehasbroughtupherchildren,a
portionofallthatisgiventothechildren,equalasthatofoneson,shallbegiventoher.Shemay
thenmarrythemanofherheart.
138.Ifamanwishestoseparatefromhiswifewhohasbornehimnochildren,heshallgiveher
theamountofherpurchasemoneyandthedowrywhichshebroughtfromherfather'shouse,andlet
hergo.
139.Iftherewasnopurchasepriceheshallgiveheroneminaofgoldasagiftofrelease.
140.Ifhebeafreedmanheshallgiveheronethirdofaminaofgold.
141.Ifaman'swife,wholivesinhishouse,wishestoleaveit,plungesintodebt,triestoruinher
house,neglectsherhusband,andisjudiciallyconvicted:ifherhusbandofferherrelease,shemay
goonherway,andhegiveshernothingasagiftofrelease.Ifherhusbanddoesnotwishtorelease
her,andifhetakeanotherwife,sheshallremainasservantinherhusband'shouse.
142.Ifawomanquarrelwithherhusband,andsay:"Youarenotcongenialtome,"thereasons
forherprejudicemustbepresented.Ifsheisguiltless,andthereisnofaultonherpart,buthe
leavesandneglectsher,thennoguiltattachestothiswoman,sheshalltakeherdowryandgoback
toherfather'shouse.
143.Ifsheisnotinnocent,butleavesherhusband,andruinsherhouse,neglectingher
husband,thiswomanshallbecastintothewater.
144.Ifamantakeawifeandthiswomangiveherhusbandamaidservant,andshebearhim
children,butthismanwishestotakeanotherwife,thisshallnotbepermittedtohimheshallnot
takeasecondwife.
145.Ifamantakeawife,andshebearhimnochildren,andheintendtotakeanotherwife:ifhe
takethissecondwife,andbringherintothehouse,thissecondwifeshallnotbeallowedequality
withhiswife.
146.Ifamantakeawifeandshegivethismanamaidservantaswifeandshebearhim
children,andthenthismaidassumeequalitywiththewife:becauseshehasbornehimchildrenher
mastershallnotsellherformoney,buthemaykeepherasaslave,reckoningheramongthe
maidservants.
147.Ifshehavenotbornehimchildren,thenhermistressmaysellherformoney.
148.Ifamantakeawife,andshebeseizedbydisease,ifhethendesiretotakeasecondwife
heshallnotputawayhiswife,whohasbeenattackedbydisease,butheshallkeepherinthehouse
whichhehasbuiltandsupporthersolongasshelives.
149.Ifthiswomandoesnotwishtoremaininherhusband'shouse,thenheshallcompensate
herforthedowrythatshebroughtwithherfromherfather'shouse,andshemaygo.
150.Ifamangivehiswifeafield,garden,andhouseandadeedtherefor,ifthenafterthedeath
ofherhusbandthesonsraisenoclaim,thenthemothermaybequeathalltooneofhersonswhom
sheprefers,andneedleavenothingtohisbrothers.

151.Ifawomanwholivedinaman'shousemadeanagreementwithherhusband,thatno
creditorcanarresther,andhasgivenadocumenttherefor:ifthatman,beforehemarriedthat
woman,hadadebt,thecreditorcannotholdthewomanforit.Butifthewoman,beforesheentered
theman'shouse,hadcontractedadebt,hercreditorcannotarrestherhusbandtherefor.
152.Ifafterthewomanhadenteredtheman'shouse,bothcontractedadebt,bothmustpaythe
merchant.
153.Ifthewifeofonemanonaccountofanothermanhastheirmates(herhusbandandthe
otherman'swife)murdered,bothofthemshallbeimpaled.
154.Ifamanbeguiltyofincestwithhisdaughter,heshallbedrivenfromtheplace(exiled).
155.Ifamanbetrothagirltohisson,andhissonhaveintercoursewithher,buthe(thefather)
afterwarddefileher,andbesurprised,thenheshallbeboundandcastintothewater(drowned).
156.Ifamanbetrothagirltohisson,buthissonhasnotknownher,andifthenhedefileher,he
shallpayherhalfagoldmina,andcompensateherforallthatshebroughtoutofherfather'shouse.
Shemaymarrythemanofherheart.
157.Ifanyonebeguiltyofincestwithhismotherafterhisfather,bothshallbeburned.
158.Ifanyonebesurprisedafterhisfatherwithhischiefwife,whohasbornechildren,heshall
bedrivenoutofhisfather'shouse.
159.Ifanyone,whohasbroughtchattelsintohisfatherinlaw'shouse,andhaspaidthe
purchasemoney,looksforanotherwife,andsaystohisfatherinlaw:"Idonotwantyourdaughter,"
thegirl'sfathermaykeepallthathehadbrought.
160.Ifamanbringchattelsintothehouseofhisfatherinlaw,andpaythe"purchaseprice"(for
hiswife):ifthenthefatherofthegirlsay:"Iwillnotgiveyoumydaughter,"heshallgivehimbackall
thathebroughtwithhim.
161.Ifamanbringchattelsintohisfatherinlaw'shouseandpaythe"purchaseprice,"ifthen
hisfriendslanderhim,andhisfatherinlawsaytotheyounghusband:"Youshallnotmarrymy
daughter,"theheshallgivebacktohimundiminishedallthathehadbroughtwithhimbuthiswife
shallnotbemarriedtothefriend.
162.Ifamanmarryawoman,andshebearsonstohimifthenthiswomandie,thenshallher
fatherhavenoclaimonherdowrythisbelongstohersons.
163.Ifamanmarryawomanandshebearhimnosonsifthenthiswomandie,ifthe"purchase
price"whichhehadpaidintothehouseofhisfatherinlawisrepaidtohim,herhusbandshallhave
noclaimuponthedowryofthiswomanitbelongstoherfather'shouse.
164.Ifhisfatherinlawdonotpaybacktohimtheamountofthe"purchaseprice"hemay
subtracttheamountofthe"Purchaseprice"fromthedowry,andthenpaytheremaindertoher
father'shouse.
165.Ifamangivetooneofhissonswhomheprefersafield,garden,andhouse,andadeed
therefor:iflaterthefatherdie,andthebrothersdividetheestate,thentheyshallfirstgivehimthe
presentofhisfather,andheshallacceptitandtherestofthepaternalpropertyshalltheydivide.
166.Ifamantakewivesforhisson,buttakenowifeforhisminorson,andifthenhedie:ifthe
sonsdividetheestate,theyshallsetasidebesideshisportionthemoneyforthe"purchaseprice"for
theminorbrotherwhohadtakennowifeasyet,andsecureawifeforhim.
167.Ifamanmarryawifeandshebearhimchildren:ifthiswifedieandhethentakeanother
wifeandshebearhimchildren:ifthenthefatherdie,thesonsmustnotpartitiontheestateaccording

tothemothers,theyshalldividethedowriesoftheirmothersonlyinthiswaythepaternalestate
theyshalldivideequallywithoneanother.
168.Ifamanwishtoputhissonoutofhishouse,anddeclarebeforethejudge:"Iwanttoput
mysonout,"thenthejudgeshallexamineintohisreasons.Ifthesonbeguiltyofnogreatfault,for
whichhecanberightfullyputout,thefathershallnotputhimout.
169.Ifhebeguiltyofagravefault,whichshouldrightfullydeprivehimofthefilialrelationship,
thefathershallforgivehimthefirsttimebutifhebeguiltyofagravefaultasecondtimethefather
maydeprivehissonofallfilialrelation.
170.Ifhiswifebearsonstoaman,orhismaidservanthavebornesons,andthefatherwhile
stilllivingsaystothechildrenwhomhismaidservanthasborne:"Mysons,"andhecountthemwith
thesonsofhiswifeifthenthefatherdie,thenthesonsofthewifeandofthemaidservantshall
dividethepaternalpropertyincommon.Thesonofthewifeistopartitionandchoose.
171.If,however,thefatherwhilestilllivingdidnotsaytothesonsofthemaidservant:"My
sons,"andthenthefatherdies,thenthesonsofthemaidservantshallnotsharewiththesonsof
thewife,butthefreedomofthemaidandhersonsshallbegranted.Thesonsofthewifeshallhave
norighttoenslavethesonsofthemaidthewifeshalltakeherdowry(fromherfather),andthegift
thatherhusbandgaveheranddeededtoher(separatefromdowry,orthepurchasemoneypaidher
father),andliveinthehomeofherhusband:solongasshelivessheshalluseit,itshallnotbesold
formoney.Whateversheleavesshallbelongtoherchildren.
172.Ifherhusbandmadehernogift,sheshallbecompensatedforhergift,andsheshall
receiveaportionfromtheestateofherhusband,equaltothatofonechild.Ifhersonsoppressher,
toforceheroutofthehouse,thejudgeshallexamineintothematter,andifthesonsareatfaultthe
womanshallnotleaveherhusband'shouse.Ifthewomandesiretoleavethehouse,shemustleave
tohersonsthegiftwhichherhusbandgaveher,butshemaytakethedowryofherfather'shouse.
Thenshemaymarrythemanofherheart.
173.Ifthiswomanbearsonstohersecondhusband,intheplacetowhichshewent,andthen
die,herearlierandlatersonsshalldividethedowrybetweenthem.
174.Ifshebearnosonstohersecondhusband,thesonsofherfirsthusbandshallhavethe
dowry.
175.IfaStateslaveortheslaveofafreedmanmarrythedaughterofafreeman,andchildren
areborn,themasteroftheslaveshallhavenorighttoenslavethechildrenofthefree.
176.If,however,aStateslaveortheslaveofafreedmanmarryaman'sdaughter,andafterhe
marrieshershebringadowryfromafather'shouse,ifthentheybothenjoyitandfounda
household,andaccumulatemeans,ifthentheslavedie,thenshewhowasfreebornmaytakeher
dowry,andallthatherhusbandandshehadearnedsheshalldividethemintotwoparts,onehalf
themasterfortheslaveshalltake,andtheotherhalfshallthefreebornwomantakeforherchildren.
Ifthefreebornwomanhadnogiftsheshalltakeallthatherhusbandandshehadearnedanddivide
itintotwopartsandthemasteroftheslaveshalltakeonehalfandsheshalltaketheotherforher
children.
177.Ifawidow,whosechildrenarenotgrown,wishestoenteranotherhouse(remarry),she
shallnotenteritwithouttheknowledgeofthejudge.Ifsheenteranotherhousethejudgeshall
examinethestateofthehouseofherfirsthusband.Thenthehouseofherfirsthusbandshallbe
entrustedtothesecondhusbandandthewomanherselfasmanagers.Andarecordmustbemade

thereof.Sheshallkeepthehouseinorder,bringupthechildren,andnotsellthehousehold
utensils.Hewhobuystheutensilsofthechildrenofawidowshalllosehismoney,andthegoods
shallreturntotheirowners.
178.Ifa"devotedwoman"oraprostitutetowhomherfatherhasgivenadowryandadeed
therefor,butifinthisdeeditisnotstatedthatshemaybequeathitasshepleases,andhasnot
explicitlystatedthatshehastherightofdisposalifthenherfatherdie,thenherbrothersshallhold
herfieldandgarden,andgivehercorn,oil,andmilkaccordingtoherportion,andsatisfyher.Ifher
brothersdonotgivehercorn,oil,andmilkaccordingtohershare,thenherfieldandgardenshall
supporther.Sheshallhavetheusufructoffieldandgardenandallthatherfathergavehersolong
asshelives,butshecannotsellorassignittoothers.Herpositionofinheritancebelongstoher
brothers.
179.Ifa"sisterofagod,"oraprostitute,receiveagiftfromherfather,andadeedinwhichithas
beenexplicitlystatedthatshemaydisposeofitasshepleases,andgivehercompletedisposition
thereof:ifthenherfatherdie,thenshemayleaveherpropertytowhomsoevershepleases.Her
brotherscanraisenoclaimthereto.
180.Ifafathergiveapresenttohisdaughtereithermarriageableoraprostitute
unmarriageable)andthendie,thensheistoreceiveaportionasachildfromthepaternalestate,
andenjoyitsusufructsolongasshelives.Herestatebelongstoherbrothers.
181.IfafatherdevoteatemplemaidortemplevirgintoGodandgivehernopresent:ifthenthe
fatherdie,sheshallreceivethethirdofachild'sportionfromtheinheritanceofherfather'shouse,
andenjoyitsusufructsolongasshelives.Herestatebelongstoherbrothers.
182.IfafatherdevotehisdaughterasawifeofMardiofBabylon(asin181),andgiveherno
present,noradeedifthenherfatherdie,thenshallshereceiveonethirdofherportionasachildof
herfather'shousefromherbrothers,butMardukmayleaveherestatetowhomsoevershewishes.
183.Ifamangivehisdaughterbyaconcubineadowry,andahusband,andadeedifthenher
fatherdie,sheshallreceivenoportionfromthepaternalestate.
184.Ifamandonotgiveadowrytohisdaughterbyaconcubine,andnohusbandifthenher
fatherdie,herbrothershallgiveheradowryaccordingtoherfather'swealthandsecureahusband
forher.
185.Ifamanadoptachildandtohisnameasson,andrearhim,thisgrownsoncannotbe
demandedbackagain.
186.Ifamanadoptason,andifafterhehastakenhimheinjurehisfosterfatherandmother,
thenthisadoptedsonshallreturntohisfather'shouse.
187.Thesonofaparamourinthepalaceservice,orofaprostitute,cannotbedemandedback.
188.Ifanartizanhasundertakentorearachildandteacheshimhiscraft,hecannotbe
demandedback.
189.Ifhehasnottaughthimhiscraft,thisadoptedsonmayreturntohisfather'shouse.
190.Ifamandoesnotmaintainachildthathehasadoptedasasonandrearedwithhisother
children,thenhisadoptedsonmayreturntohisfather'shouse.
191.Ifaman,whohadadoptedasonandrearedhim,foundedahousehold,andhadchildren,
wishtoputthisadoptedsonout,thenthissonshallnotsimplygohisway.Hisadoptivefathershall
givehimofhiswealthonethirdofachild'sportion,andthenhemaygo.Heshallnotgivehimofthe
field,garden,andhouse.

192.Ifasonofaparamouroraprostitutesaytohisadoptivefatherormother:"Youarenotmy
father,ormymother,"histongueshallbecutoff.
193.Ifthesonofaparamouroraprostitutedesirehisfather'shouse,anddeserthisadoptive
fatherandadoptivemother,andgoestohisfather'shouse,thenshallhiseyebeputout.
194.Ifamangivehischildtoanurseandthechilddieinherhands,butthenurseunbeknown
tothefatherandmothernurseanotherchild,thentheyshallconvictherofhavingnursedanother
childwithouttheknowledgeofthefatherandmotherandherbreastsshallbecutoff.
195.Ifasonstrikehisfather,hishandsshallbehewnoff.
196.Ifamanputouttheeyeofanotherman,hiseyeshallbeputout.[Aneyeforaneye]
197.Ifhebreakanotherman'sbone,hisboneshallbebroken.
198.Ifheputouttheeyeofafreedman,orbreaktheboneofafreedman,heshallpayone
goldmina.
199.Ifheputouttheeyeofaman'sslave,orbreaktheboneofaman'sslave,heshallpay
onehalfofitsvalue.
200.Ifamanknockouttheteethofhisequal,histeethshallbeknockedout.[Atoothforatooth
]
201.Ifheknockouttheteethofafreedman,heshallpayonethirdofagoldmina.
202.Ifanyonestrikethebodyofamanhigherinrankthanhe,heshallreceivesixtyblowswith
anoxwhipinpublic.
203.Ifafreebornmanstrikethebodyofanotherfreebornmanorequalrank,heshallpayone
goldmina.
204.Ifafreedmanstrikethebodyofanotherfreedman,heshallpaytenshekelsinmoney.
205.Iftheslaveofafreedmanstrikethebodyofafreedman,hisearshallbecutoff.
206.Ifduringaquarrelonemanstrikeanotherandwoundhim,thenheshallswear,"Ididnot
injurehimwittingly,"andpaythephysicians.
207.Ifthemandieofhiswound,heshallswearsimilarly,andifhe(thedeceased)wasa
freebornman,heshallpayhalfaminainmoney.
208.Ifhewasafreedman,heshallpayonethirdofamina.
209.Ifamanstrikeafreebornwomansothatsheloseherunbornchild,heshallpayten
shekelsforherloss.
210.Ifthewomandie,hisdaughtershallbeputtodeath.
211.Ifawomanofthefreeclassloseherchildbyablow,heshallpayfiveshekelsinmoney.
212.Ifthiswomandie,heshallpayhalfamina.
213.Ifhestrikethemaidservantofaman,andsheloseherchild,heshallpaytwoshekelsin
money.
214.Ifthismaidservantdie,heshallpayonethirdofamina.
215.Ifaphysicianmakealargeincisionwithanoperatingknifeandcureit,orifheopenatumor
(overtheeye)withanoperatingknife,andsavestheeye,heshallreceivetenshekelsinmoney.
216.Ifthepatientbeafreedman,hereceivesfiveshekels.
217.Ifhebetheslaveofsomeone,hisownershallgivethephysiciantwoshekels.
218.Ifaphysicianmakealargeincisionwiththeoperatingknife,andkillhim,oropenatumor
withtheoperatingknife,andcutouttheeye,hishandsshallbecutoff.

219.Ifaphysicianmakealargeincisionintheslaveofafreedman,andkillhim,heshall
replacetheslavewithanotherslave.
220.Ifhehadopenedatumorwiththeoperatingknife,andputouthiseye,heshallpayhalfhis
value.
221.Ifaphysicianhealthebrokenboneordiseasedsoftpartofaman,thepatientshallpaythe
physicianfiveshekelsinmoney.
222.Ifhewereafreedmanheshallpaythreeshekels.
223.Ifhewereaslavehisownershallpaythephysiciantwoshekels.
224.Ifaveterinarysurgeonperformaseriousoperationonanassoranox,andcureit,the
ownershallpaythesurgeononesixthofashekelasafee.
225.Ifheperformaseriousoperationonanassorox,andkillit,heshallpaytheowner
onefourthofitsvalue.
226.Ifabarber,withouttheknowledgeofhismaster,cutthesignofaslaveonaslavenottobe
sold,thehandsofthisbarbershallbecutoff.
227.Ifanyonedeceiveabarber,andhavehimmarkaslavenotforsalewiththesignofaslave,
heshallbeputtodeath,andburiedinhishouse.Thebarbershallswear:"Ididnotmarkhim
wittingly,"andshallbeguiltless.
228.Ifabuilderbuildahouseforsomeoneandcompleteit,heshallgivehimafeeoftwo
shekelsinmoneyforeachsarofsurface.
229Ifabuilderbuildahouseforsomeone,anddoesnotconstructitproperly,andthehouse
whichhebuiltfallinandkillitsowner,thenthatbuildershallbeputtodeath.
230.Ifitkillthesonoftheownerthesonofthatbuildershallbeputtodeath.
231.Ifitkillaslaveoftheowner,thenheshallpayslaveforslavetotheownerofthehouse.
232.Ifitruingoods,heshallmakecompensationforallthathasbeenruined,andinasmuchas
hedidnotconstructproperlythishousewhichhebuiltanditfell,heshallreerectthehousefromhis
ownmeans.
233.Ifabuilderbuildahouseforsomeone,eventhoughhehasnotyetcompleteditifthenthe
wallsseemtoppling,thebuildermustmakethewallssolidfromhisownmeans.
234.Ifashipbuilderbuildaboatofsixtygurforaman,heshallpayhimafeeoftwoshekelsin
money.
235.Ifashipbuilderbuildaboatforsomeone,anddonotmakeittight,ifduringthatsameyear
thatboatissentawayandsuffersinjury,theshipbuildershalltaketheboatapartandputittogether
tightathisownexpense.Thetightboatheshallgivetotheboatowner.
236.Ifamanrenthisboattoasailor,andthesailoriscareless,andtheboatiswreckedorgoes
aground,thesailorshallgivetheowneroftheboatanotherboatascompensation.
237.Ifamanhireasailorandhisboat,andprovideitwithcorn,clothing,oilanddates,and
otherthingsofthekindneededforfittingit:ifthesailoriscareless,theboatiswrecked,andits
contentsruined,thenthesailorshallcompensatefortheboatwhichwaswreckedandallinitthathe
ruined.
238.Ifasailorwreckanyone'sship,butsavesit,heshallpaythehalfofitsvalueinmoney.
239.Ifamanhireasailor,heshallpayhimsixgurofcornperyear.

240.Ifamerchantmanrunagainstaferryboat,andwreckit,themasteroftheshipthatwas
wreckedshallseekjusticebeforeGodthemasterofthemerchantman,whichwreckedthe
ferryboat,mustcompensatetheownerfortheboatandallthatheruined.
241.Ifanyoneimpressesanoxforforcedlabor,heshallpayonethirdofaminainmoney.
242.Ifanyonehireoxenforayear,heshallpayfourgurofcornforplowoxen.
243.Asrentofherdcattleheshallpaythreegurofcorntotheowner.
244.Ifanyonehireanoxoranass,andalionkillitinthefield,thelossisuponitsowner.
245.Ifanyonehireoxen,andkillthembybadtreatmentorblows,heshallcompensatethe
owner,oxenforoxen.
246.Ifamanhireanox,andhebreakitslegorcuttheligamentofitsneck,heshall
compensatetheownerwithoxforox.
247.Ifanyonehireanox,andputoutitseye,heshallpaytheowneronehalfofitsvalue.
248.Ifanyonehireanox,andbreakoffahorn,orcutoffitstail,orhurtitsmuzzle,heshallpay
onefourthofitsvalueinmoney.
249.Ifanyonehireanox,andGodstrikeitthatitdie,themanwhohireditshallswearbyGod
andbeconsideredguiltless.
250.Ifwhileanoxispassingonthestreet(market)someonepushit,andkillit,theownercan
setupnoclaiminthesuit(againstthehirer).
251.Ifanoxbeagoringox,anditshownthatheisagorer,andhedonotbindhishorns,or
fastentheoxup,andtheoxgoreafreebornmanandkillhim,theownershallpayonehalfamina
inmoney.
252.Ifhekillaman'sslave,heshallpayonethirdofamina.
253.Ifanyoneagreewithanothertotendhisfield,givehimseed,entrustayokeofoxentohim,
andbindhimtocultivatethefield,ifhestealthecornorplants,andtakethemforhimself,hishands
shallbehewnoff.
254.Ifhetaketheseedcornforhimself,anddonotusetheyokeofoxen,heshallcompensate
himfortheamountoftheseedcorn.
255.Ifhesublettheman'syokeofoxenorstealtheseedcorn,plantingnothinginthefield,he
shallbeconvicted,andforeachonehundredganheshallpaysixtygurofcorn.
256.Ifhiscommunitywillnotpayforhim,thenheshallbeplacedinthatfieldwiththecattle(at
work).
257.Ifanyonehireafieldlaborer,heshallpayhimeightgurofcornperyear.
258.Ifanyonehireanoxdriver,heshallpayhimsixgurofcornperyear.
259.Ifanyonestealawaterwheelfromthefield,heshallpayfiveshekelsinmoneytoits
owner.
260.Ifanyonestealashadduf(usedtodrawwaterfromtheriverorcanal)oraplow,heshall
paythreeshekelsinmoney.
261.Ifanyonehireaherdsmanforcattleorsheep,heshallpayhimeightgurofcornper
annum.
262.Ifanyone,acoworasheep...
263.Ifhekillthecattleorsheepthatweregiventohim,heshallcompensatetheownerwith
cattleforcattleandsheepforsheep.

264.Ifaherdsman,towhomcattleorsheephavebeenentrustedforwatchingover,andwho
hasreceivedhiswagesasagreedupon,andissatisfied,diminishthenumberofthecattleorsheep,
ormaketheincreasebybirthless,heshallmakegoodtheincreaseorprofitwhichwaslostinthe
termsofsettlement.
265.Ifaherdsman,towhosecarecattleorsheephavebeenentrusted,beguiltyoffraudand
makefalsereturnsofthenaturalincrease,orsellthemformoney,thenshallhebeconvictedand
paytheownertentimestheloss.
266.IftheanimalbekilledinthestablebyGod(anaccident),orifalionkillit,theherdsman
shalldeclarehisinnocencebeforeGod,andtheownerbearstheaccidentinthestable.
267.Iftheherdsmanoverlooksomething,andanaccidenthappeninthestable,thenthe
herdsmanisatfaultfortheaccidentwhichhehascausedinthestable,andhemustcompensate
theownerforthecattleorsheep.
268.Ifanyonehireanoxforthreshing,theamountofthehireistwentykaofcorn.
269.Ifhehireanassforthreshing,thehireistwentykaofcorn.
270.Ifhehireayounganimalforthreshing,thehireistenkaofcorn.
271.Ifanyonehireoxen,cartanddriver,heshallpayonehundredandeightykaofcornper
day.
272.Ifanyonehireacartalone,heshallpayfortykaofcornperday.
273.Ifanyonehireadaylaborer,heshallpayhimfromtheNewYearuntilthefifthmonth(April
toAugust,whendaysarelongandtheworkhard)sixgerahsinmoneyperdayfromthesixthmonth
totheendoftheyearheshallgivehimfivegerahsperday.
274.Ifanyonehireaskilledartizan,heshallpayaswagesofthe...fivegerahs,aswagesof
thepotterfivegerahs,ofatailorfivegerahs,of...gerahs,...ofaropemakerfourgerahs,of....
gerahs,ofamason...gerahsperday.
275.Ifanyonehireaferryboat,heshallpaythreegerahsinmoneyperday.
276.Ifhehireafreightboat,heshallpaytwoandonehalfgerahsperday.
277.Ifanyonehireashipofsixtygur,heshallpayonesixthofashekelinmoneyasitshireper
day.
278.Ifanyonebuyamaleorfemaleslave,andbeforeamonthhaselapsedthebenudisease
bedeveloped,heshallreturntheslavetotheseller,andreceivethemoneywhichhehadpaid.
279.Ifanyonebuyamaleorfemaleslave,andathirdpartyclaimit,thesellerisliableforthe
claim.
280.Ifwhileinaforeigncountryamanbuyamaleorfemaleslavebelongingtoanotherofhis
owncountryifwhenhereturnhometheownerofthemaleorfemaleslaverecognizeit:ifthemale
orfemaleslavebeanativeofthecountry,heshallgivethembackwithoutanymoney.
281.Iftheyarefromanothercountry,thebuyershalldeclaretheamountofmoneypaidtherefor
tothemerchant,andkeepthemaleorfemaleslave.
282.Ifaslavesaytohismaster:"Youarenotmymaster,"iftheyconvicthimhismastershallcut
offhisear.

Name:_______________Block:___BronzeAgeLaws