While both the Hittite Laws and Hammurabi's Code were significant legal systems of their respective civilizations, they exhibited several key differences:
Language and Writing System:
- Hittite Laws: The Hittite Laws were written in the hieroglyphic script and later transcribed into cuneiform, but scholars can only translate the cuneiform version.
- Hammurabi's Code: Hammurabi's Code was written in cuneiform, a widely understood writing system in ancient Mesopotamia, making it more accessible to scholars.
Content and Structure:
- Hittite Laws: The Hittite legal texts consist of fragmentary pieces, making it challenging to reconstruct a complete picture of their legal system. However, they focused on legal procedures and court hearings.
- Hammurabi's Code: Hammurabi's Code is a well-preserved compilation organized into 282 laws categorized into different legal aspects, including property rights, commercial transactions, criminal offenses, and family matters. It follows a "if-then" format.
Punishment and Retribution:
- Hittite Laws: Hittite laws emphasized a concept called "talio" or "an eye for an eye" approach, where punishments aimed to match the severity of the crime. However, the laws also allowed for compensation or restitution.
- Hammurabi's Code: Hammurabi's Code applied the principle of social hierarchy, with harsher punishments for crimes committed against higher-status individuals. It also employed the "eye for an eye" principle but allowed for fines or compensation in certain cases.
Social Context:
- Hittite Laws: The laws from Hittite civilization largely dealt with legal matters within their society, covering a range of topics, including criminal acts, family relations, debt obligations, and more.
- Hammurabi's Code: While Hammurabi's Code addressed the legal needs of Babylonian society, it also held a symbolic and religious significance. It depicted Hammurabi as a just ruler who received laws directly from the gods, making it a powerful instrument for social order.
Influence and Impact:
- Hittite Laws: While the Hittite Laws undoubtedly influenced their local legal practices, their impact beyond their own civilization was relatively limited.
- Hammurabi's Code: The Code of Hammurabi had a significant influence on subsequent legal systems in the ancient Near East, inspiring and shaping later law codes such as the Code of Ur-Nammu and the Hittite Laws. Its principles continued to be a reference for legal practices for centuries.
In summary, while both the Hittite Laws and Hammurabi's Code were important legal systems, their language, structure, emphasis on punishment, social context, and overall impact differed significantly. Hammurabi's Code had a broader influence and was more comprehensive, while the Hittite Laws were more fragmented and focused on internal legal proceedings within their society.