A civilization is made up of different factors, including government, religion, and culture. Through these factors evolved a set of principles for the people to live by. These were called codes of conduct. Through the examination of the Judgments of Hammurabi, the Egyptian "Negative Confessions," and the Ten

Commandments, inferences will be drawn to explain the reasoning that may have

promoted their creation and the similarities among others.

In the eighteenth century BC the Babylonian king, Hammurabi, conquered

the Sumerians. Government, religion, and culture dictated life in Mesopotamia.

Each city-state was ruled by a monarch, king, or priest-kings. These rulers were highly worshipped and seen as intermediaries between the Sumerians and their gods. (Craig, 7) The kings controlled the economy. Detailed examination was taken before the applying of any idea, such as the distribution of crops. The Sumerians practiced polytheism. Their gods were of human form, "only differing from humans in their greater power and immortality."(Craig, 8) The people concentrated on satisfying their gods during their present life. Therefore, Sumerians cultiv

be punished on earth. The Egyptians, on the other hand, believed punishment

The Ten Commandments were written about in the Bible, and can be found under Deuteronomy. The commandments were guidelines for the Hebrews to live their lives. Some of the commandments reflected monotheism. For example, "I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage. You shall have no other gods besides me."(Andrea, 58) In return for the Hebrews following these laws, God would give them his guidance and protection. It is believed that the Hebrew's new God may punish them for

steadfast love with those who love him and keep his commandments, to a thousand

Egyptians were obsessed with the afterlife. They believed their present life

responsible for their actions as seen through most of his laws. If the person who flooded his neighbor did not make an amends for ruining the field, the person whose field was flooded would go hungry. Therefore, if the laws were not put into effect, no one would care about the agriculture and the society would suffer as a result.

Many similarities existed through religion. Sumerians and Egyptians both

Moses lead the Hebrews out of slavery from Egypt into the Sania Desert.

generations."(Andrea, 60) It can be inferred God wanted the Hebrews to

builder shall be slain."(Andrea, 16) Through a critique of this law, several

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Approximate Word count = 2352
Approximate Pages = 9 (250 words per page double spaced)