Codes of Law
Of the three Codes of law we have studied, we think the Old Testament is the fairest. The Code of Hammurbi was much too violent. Hammurabi’s solution to just about anything was to kill people. Too many innocent people died in Hammurabi’s code. Fore example, » if an architect’s work falls in and kills the son of the owner of the house, then the architect’s son dies.» The architects son did nothing wrong but was put to death. Another are where Hammurabi’s code is lacking is in the treatment of social classes. Different punishments are give out according to social class of the person the crime was committed upon. The prime weakness in Roman law was the discrimination against women. Females were never acknowledged as adults. There are also cruel and unusual punishments for committing silly crimes. For example, » If a person has sung of composed against another person a song, such as was causing slander or insult to another, he shall be clubbed to death.»
Even though The Old Testament was the best, it still has some flaws. However, the flaws of The Old Testament are not as bad and there are less than in Hammurabi’s Code and Roman Law. One of these flaws is that a man divorces a woman. The woman receives no compensation. Also, women cannot file for divorce if they are not happy in their marriage. Another problem is that slavery is allowed.
There are many things that are right with the Old Testament. Poor people are provided for. Moral values are demanded in the Old Testament. By raising the expectations higher goals were probably reached. People are responsible for their property and livestock. The Old Testament does not discriminate against social classes. When people are found guilty of a crime fair trail and punishment were usually given. For the good and not so good reasons found above we found that the Old Testament Law was the best law to live by.