Code of Hammurabi · World History

What role did the gods play in the Code of Hammurabi?

  1. The gods had no role in the legal system
  2. The gods were the ultimate source of the laws
  3. The gods enforced laws through priests directly
  4. The gods openly opposed the king's authority
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Correct answer: The gods were the ultimate source of the laws

Hammurabi claimed the laws were given to him by the sun-god Shamash. This divine mandate legitimised both the legal code and his royal authority over Babylon.

Difficulty: Medium Question 8 of 20

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