The Code of Hammurabi : King, L.W.: Amazon.de: Bücher - Free Printable

Solution to the Hammurabi’s Code Matching Task

This worksheet presents a matching activity based on Hammurabi’s Code, one of the earliest and most complete written legal codes in human history. The laws follow the principle of "an eye for an eye" (lex talionis), where punishments are proportional to the offense.

We need to match each offense (on the left) with its corresponding punishment (on the right) based on the logic of Hammurabi's Code.

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#### Step-by-Step Matching:

1. If someone accuses another person for a crime they didn't commit
→ This is a false accusation. In Hammurabi’s Code, false accusations were punished severely.
✔ Matching punishment: *The accused can take the house of the accuser.*
*(This reflects the idea that the accuser loses their property if they lie.)*

2. If someone breaks another person's bone,
→ Physical harm is met with equal physical harm.
✔ Matching punishment: *His/her bone shall be broken.*
*(This follows the "eye for an eye" principle.)*

3. If someone practices robbery,
→ Robbery was a serious crime and carried severe penalties.
✔ Matching punishment: *He/she shall go to jail.*
*(Robbery leads to imprisonment.)*

4. If a builder builds a house and a wall cracks,
→ A builder is responsible for the quality of construction.
✔ Matching punishment: *The builder should fix the wall with their own money.*
*(The builder must repair the damage at their own cost.)*

5. If someone opens a canal of irrigation and the water carries away destroying another field,
→ Damaging someone else's property through negligence.
✔ Matching punishment: *They should pay for the grains of the other field.*
*(Compensation for lost crops.)*

6. If someone hurts another person's eye,
→ Injury to a body part results in similar injury as punishment.
✔ Matching punishment: *His/her eye shall be hurt.*
*(Another example of "an eye for an eye.")*

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✔ Final Answer (Matched Pairs):

| Offense | Punishment |
|--------|-----------|
| If someone accuses another person for a crime they didn't commit | The accused can take the house of the accuser. |
| If someone breaks another person's bone | His/her bone shall be broken. |
| If someone practices robbery | He/she shall go to jail. |
| If a builder builds a house and a wall cracks | The builder should fix the wall with their own money. |
| If someone opens a canal of irrigation and the water carries away destroying another field | They should pay for the grains of the other field. |
| If someone hurts another person's eye | His/her eye shall be hurt. |

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📌 Explanation:

Hammurabi’s Code emphasized justice through retaliation, especially in personal injuries. It also included compensatory justice for property damage and required accountability in professions like building. The code protected both individuals and society by setting clear consequences for actions.

This system reflected social hierarchy and practical concerns of ancient Babylonian life—agriculture, construction, and personal honor.

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