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Lipit-Ishtar Code
Lipit-Ishtar (c. 1870 BC — c. 1860 BC) was the 5th king of the First Dynasty of Isin, according to the "Sumerian King List" (SKL). Also according to the SKL: he was the successor of Išme-Dagān. Ur-Ninurta then succeeded Lipit-Ištar.
Some documents and royal inscriptions from his time have survived, however; Lipit-Ištar is mostly known due to the Sumerian language hymns that were written in his honor, as well as a legal code written in his name (preceding the famed Code of Hammurabi by about 100 years)—which were used for school instruction for hundreds of years after Lipit-Ištar's death.
Link to Francis R. Steele, The Code of Lipit Ishtar - University of Pennsylvania Museum Monographs, 1948 - includes complete text and analysis of all fragments:
http://oilib.uchicago.edu/books/steel...
Some documents and royal inscriptions from his time have survived, however; Lipit-Ištar is mostly known due to the Sumerian language hymns that were written in his honor, as well as a legal code written in his name (preceding the famed Code of Hammurabi by about 100 years)—which were used for school instruction for hundreds of years after Lipit-Ištar's death.
Link to Francis R. Steele, The Code of Lipit Ishtar - University of Pennsylvania Museum Monographs, 1948 - includes complete text and analysis of all fragments:
http://oilib.uchicago.edu/books/steel...
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First published January 1, 1901
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February 3, 2018
The Code of Lipit-Ishtar pre-dates the better-known Law Code of Hammurabi, circa 1780 BC. Lipit-Ishtar was the fifth King of Isin, a dynasty which celebrated its 100 year anniversary during his reign. The location of the find was the site of the ancient city of Nippur (situated in modern day Iraq).
From the four fragments, archaeologists have concluded that the original tablet was 11 inches in height. Unfortunately, the four fragments do not present the entire original tablet.
Just as with the Babylonian Code of Hammurabi, the Sumerian Code of Lipit-Ishtar begins with a long preamble glorifying the exploits of Lipit-Ishtar, and of his reign in the Sumerian city of Isin (just South of Nippur). Apparently, Lipit-Ishtar was chosen by the gods to "establish justice in the land" and "bring well-being to the Sumerians and Akkadians" and that the Code caused "righteousness and truth to shine forth".
The first half of the Lipit-Ishtar Code has never been found and remains a mystery but the rest presents a fascinating legal code, a looking-glass, riveting glimpse into the daily life of early human societies and civilization, governing the use of boats, real estate transactions (especially orchards), a system of slavery, peerage, inheritance, marriage and the regulation of cattle (oxen).
From the four fragments, archaeologists have concluded that the original tablet was 11 inches in height. Unfortunately, the four fragments do not present the entire original tablet.
Just as with the Babylonian Code of Hammurabi, the Sumerian Code of Lipit-Ishtar begins with a long preamble glorifying the exploits of Lipit-Ishtar, and of his reign in the Sumerian city of Isin (just South of Nippur). Apparently, Lipit-Ishtar was chosen by the gods to "establish justice in the land" and "bring well-being to the Sumerians and Akkadians" and that the Code caused "righteousness and truth to shine forth".
The first half of the Lipit-Ishtar Code has never been found and remains a mystery but the rest presents a fascinating legal code, a looking-glass, riveting glimpse into the daily life of early human societies and civilization, governing the use of boats, real estate transactions (especially orchards), a system of slavery, peerage, inheritance, marriage and the regulation of cattle (oxen).
Displaying 1 of 1 review