HAMMURAPI, CODE OF, the re corded collection of the body of rules governing the procedure of courts, the administration of justice, the positive and negative rules of conduct ordered to be observed in the daily social and com mercial life of Babylon in the 22d century B. c. The Code of Hammurapi is con tained upon a block of black diorite, a stone of peculiarly high resisting power to weather. This block, about eight feet in height, was discovered on the acropolis at Susa, a former capital, by De Morgan in 1901. Originally found in three pieces, it has been restored, and exhibits beneath a bastrelief of the King receiving the Code from Shamash, the sun-god, 16 columns of engraved text. There were originally 28 of these columns. The authenticity of this block has been established by the later discovery of fragments of copies made from the original text. Among the
laws appearing in the Code are recitals of punishment for witchcraft, including trial by ordeal. There were sections devoted to the rights, obligations and duties due to and from owners of private property. There was a considerable section devoted to commercial law, covering loans, pledges and the debtor's position. The law governing injuries to the person or torts provided a graduated scale of damages or reparation which is granted upon the basis of ability of the injured party to stand the loss. The Code is strictly a civil code and there are no religious injunctions. The whole fabric of the Code indicates the state of social flux between an absolute im position of penalties and a fixed law, and a fixed law with a gradation of greater and lesser offenses with corresponding punishment.