The Civilization of Babylon and the Reign of Hammurabi

This document provides a concise historical overview of the rise of Babylon from a minor Amorite city-state on the Euphrates River to a dominant Mesopotamian empire under King Hammurabi. It details Hammurabi’s strategic military campaigns (c. 1787–1772 BCE), which unified much of Mesopotamia by approximately 1763 BCE, ending prolonged inter-city conflicts and establishing a period of stability. The text highlights Hammurabi’s most famous achievement—the Code of Hammurabi (c. 1754 BCE)—a comprehensive set of 282 laws inscribed on a basalt stele that introduced standardized legal principles, including “an eye for an eye.” Beyond law and conquest, the document outlines Hammurabi’s administrative reforms, infrastructure projects (such as irrigation canals and temples), and the cultural flourishing of Babylon during his reign (1792–1750 BCE), which advanced fields like astronomy, mathematics, and literature. The conclusion emphasizes Hammurabi’s enduring legacy in shaping subsequent legal systems and cementing Babylon’s historical significance long after his death around 1750 BCE.