Hammurabi's Code is an example of which type of ancient document?

• A. A historical chronicle
• B. A royal decree
• C. A religious scripture
• D. A written law code

Answer: (D)

A law code is a written, organized collection of laws that lays out rules and penalties to govern a society. Hammurabi’s Code fits this because it is a carefully arranged set of regulations covering many areas of life—property, family, contracts, crimes—with specific consequences for each offense. It was carved on a stele and clay tablets so people could publicly read and understand the expectations and punishments, reflecting how the ruler sought to enforce order through codified law.

While it draws on religious authority to legitimize the laws, its main purpose is to provide a standardized legal framework, not merely to record events like a historical chronicle, nor to present a single royal decree. It’s more than a religious text because its primary function is governance through written law.