Hello everyone! My name is Tom and today I'm going to talk about the Code of Hammurabi. Imagine what it would be like if we had no laws. If people did what they wanted without any regard for others, life would probably get pretty chaotic. The law is one of the most basic and necessary institutions of society. It establishes the duties and obligations of a person. The law also provides sanctions for those who violate the rules. It helps teach us right from wrong. One of the first known written laws was composed by Hammurabi. Today my talk will cover who Hammurabi was, what his codes were, examine some of his most important and influential laws, and finally discuss what they meant for the future. According to the Ancient History Encyclopedia, Hammurabi was the sixth king of Babylon of the First Babylonian Dynasty from 1792 BC to 1750 BC Located in present-day Iraq, Hammurabi is credited with uniting this area, Mesopotamia (Hammurabi). While in power he pursued many military battles. The main purpose of these battles was to gain control of the Tigris and Euphrates rivers. “This was essential since their agricultural productivity depended on it (Hammurabi).” Five years after his title, King Hammurabi began his attacks by conquering the cities of Uruk and Isin to the south in 1787 BCE (The Code of Hammurabi). Over the next fourteen years Hammurabi used the time to strengthen his cities against the enemies on his northern borders. “In 1763 BCE he conquered the city of Larsa, which was the final piece that made it possible for him to conquer the last remaining cities in the south” (The Code of Hammurabi). He followed this victory with the invasion of Mari, completing his rule over Mesopotamia. Hammurabi was transformed... in the middle of the card... so that, and may his heart be at rest!" (EAWC Anthology: Hammurabi's Code of Laws) To conclude my talk today, Hammurabi was the sixth king of Babylon (Hammurabi ) He was a successful military leader and ruler who focused on building defensive protection, establishing a basis of law and order, and specializing in irrigation probably best remembered for his code of laws governing Babylonian life. The Code of Hammurabi consists of 282 laws ranging from divorce, property, inheritance and fair trade (Code of Hammurabi: Ancient Babylonian Laws). "It symbolizes not only the rise of justice in the minds of men , but also the rise of man above ignorance and barbarism towards the peaceful and just societies that we still pursue today" (EAWC Anthology: Hammurabi's Code of Laws).).