Who was the Babylonian king known for codifying the laws of Sumer and Mesopotamia?

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Prepare for the Praxis Middle School Social Studies Test. Use flashcards and multiple choice questions with detailed explanations. Get exam-ready today!

The Babylonian king renowned for codifying the laws of Sumer and Mesopotamia is Hammurabi. He reigned during the early 18th century BCE and is most famous for the Code of Hammurabi, one of the earliest and most complete written legal codes in history. This set of laws was significant because it established standards for various aspects of daily life, including trade, property, and family relations, and was intended to promote justice and order in society.

Hammurabi’s code is well-known for its "eye for an eye" principle, emphasizing retributive justice. By creating a standardized legal framework, he ensured that laws were not arbitrary but were instead publicly accessible, allowing citizens to know their rights and responsibilities. This codification was influential not only in Babylon but also served as a model for other civilizations in the region and throughout history.

Sargon, while significant for establishing the Akkadian Empire and unifying various city-states, is not specifically associated with codifying laws. Nebuchadnezzar is better known for his military conquests and the Hanging Gardens of Babylon. Asherbanipal was an Assyrian king noted for his vast library at Nineveh, rather than for legal contributions. Thus,

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