Compare and Contrast of Law Codes

Compare and Contrast of Law Codes

I’ve noticed the topic of the marriage laws and crimes surrounding around committing adultery is the main point of view in these codes. However, they also contrast from one another with certain reprimands or punishment regarding to the laws. Whereas, some other laws focus more around the importance of love, spirituality and religious practices, but they still have a connection with the other law codes and the main topic of marriage. For example, the Code of Hammurabi, the Twelve Tables, the Islamic Law, the Jewish Mitzvot, and the Ten Commandments, there are several laws that give direct instructions of what men and women are allowed and/or not allowed to do before marriage, during marriage and also some during divorce. Most of these state that if anyone disobeys their rules, then there will be either a harsh punishment or their marriage will not be permitted.

Moreover, the Ten Commandments and the Jewish Mitzvot command that their people don’t commit adultery in any shape or form. The Jewish laws explain any persons that a man or woman is not allowed commit adultery or incest with. It is a long list ranging from a man’s mother, their children’s children, beasts, animals and so on. On the other hand, the Ten Commandments give commands to not commit adultery or have any desires to have sexual relationships with your neighbor’s wife. Also, they are not allowed to have desires to possess any of their neighbor’s belongings from their house or their animals. However, neither these laws give any reprimands about committing adultery, but it disapproves of it. In contrast, in the Code of Hammurabi, it gives clear instructions that if adultery is committed that the two people involved in the crime should be tossed in the water to be drowned. Also, it signifies these rules of adultery toward the woman, whereas the other two laws refer there laws predominantly towards men. . Furthermore, the Code of Hammurabi states that if a man points blame at a high priestess or a married woman but can not specify his accusation, then he will be beaten and have half of his head shaved. However, if a random married woman is accused of cheating by a man who is not her husband but is not caught, then she will have the option to jump into the holy river for her husband. Also, this code suggests that if a husband accuses his wife of committing adultery, but she is not caught sleeping with another man, then she will have the option of taking the oath of life by a god before returning home.

Furthermore, in table 11 of the Twelve Tables it says, “Marriages should not take place between plebeians and patricians” (Twelve Tables, reserved document. Page #6). Meaning that marriages between low-class residents and nobleman will not be permitted, respected or honored. Likewise, the Islamic Law of Sharia states that if a virgin Muslim man finds a virgin Muslim woman, their