Corn and Coins

 

"If any one owe a debt for a loan, and a storm prostrates the grain, or the harvest fail, or the grain does not grow for lack of water; in that year he need not give his creditor any grain, he washes his debt-tablet in water and pays no rent for this year . . . If he have no money to repay, then he shall pay in corn or sesame in place of the money . . ."

This is just a sample of the rules of commerce and monetary regulations laid out in the Code of Hammurabi.  As king of Babylon (from 1792 - 1750 BCE), Hammurabi took on a great task in establishing order throughout the land.  

However, the fairness of Hammurabi's Code is objectionable.  Although it details the many instances where money might be a cause of confusion or contention, we are able to see the stark differences of the social levels that existed during this time.  The lowliness of slaves is made apparent throughout many of the laws--they receive less than others and their punishments are far more severe.  Even when freed, questions of how much of a dowry they should receive (when marrying a free woman) are recorded in the laws.

Hammurabi's Law Code tells us more beyond the economical statuses of Babylonians--it describes the various forms of employment as well as options for currency at the time.  "He shall pay in corn or sesame," along with many other statements from the code, shows that farming was one of the main occupations of the time, and that food was of as much value as money.