Legal History

Ancient Laws of Ur-Nammu and Lipit-Ishtar

This episode examines the ancient Mesopotamian legal codes of Ur-Nammu (c. 2100 BCE) and Lipit-Ishtar (c. 1860 BCE), their sociopolitical context, and their divine mandate for justice. Highlighting their innovations such as monetary compensations and structured formats, it contrasts them with later legal systems like Hammurabi's Code. Rediscover these groundbreaking laws that influenced the foundation of governance and societal order.