Stele of Hammurabi.

The Stele of Hammurabi is a work that lays out not only the punishments for wrongdoings, but also the rights and duties of Babylonian citizens during Hammurabi’s time. The stele, which is now on display in the Louvre is just over seven feet tall and is in the shape of an index finger. At the top of the Stele, Shamash, the god of justice sits as a symbol of power. Hammurabi is praying beside Shamash as he passes the laws on. This scene tells a great deal about the respect held for the gods and those they put into power. Other symbols of power, such as a measuring rod, are present to further illustrate Shamash’s importance and authority over Hammurabi and his constituents.

Beneath the scene of Hammurabi and Shamash, the code of Hammurabi is inscribed in Akkadian cuneiform. It begins with a promise from Hammurabi to bring a uniform justice to his people, then moves to punishments, which vary with wealth, class, and gender. This artifact amazes me not only because of the intricacy of the top of the stele, but also due to the great deal of cuneiform inscription and all that it has taught later civilizations. I cannot wrap my head around the process of creating a written language, let alone using it to write out an entire set of laws. This artifact has been instrumental in learning about the Babylonian culture, and I am very intrigued by its intricacy and meaning.