Stele with Law Code of Hammurabi, Susa, Iran. 1780 BCE.  record of the first written compr

Stele with Law Code of Hammurabi, Susa, Iran. 1780 BCE. 

• record of the first written comprehensive law code for civilization
• eastern cultures considered the most advanced for this time period. 
• two figures pictured: Hammurabi and Shamash, the sun god.
• Shamash is sitting down and is larger. Usually people of higher status are sitting down and everyone else comes to him. He is pictured with more elbatorate dress; clothing is worn only as a symbol of status. 
• Hammurabi is standing. Raising his right arm, acknowledging the authory of Shamash. 
• Shamash is offering a rod while orating to Hammurabi. Gesture of extending power to the mortal. The rod is a building material, symbolizes the building of social order (order is created through laws). The rod also indicates the ruler’s ability to lay down the law and punish. 
• The laws recorded on the stele covers everything from commerce, property, and murder to marriage and fidelity. 
• Examples include: wives and their lovers are killed when they commit adultery. Stealing, cheating, or lying about products was forbidden. Eye for an eye kind of punishment for crimes. If someone stole from the temple, they were put to death; you can tell where people’s priorities are depending on the severity of the laws against them.