Compare and Contrast Essay
Hammurabi and King Solomon
By: Kanyanok Eiamsantipaisarn (Eye) 10M
In history class, Mesopotamia and Egypt were the topics that have been discussed. During each time period of Mesopotamia, the most famous king was Hammurabi and King Solomon. But who will know that these two kings are similar in many ways. Both are the great kings who have a very strong power. Both encouraged trade. And lastly, both also care about temple, they built temple. Therefore, on the whole, Hammurabi and King Solomon were similar to each other.
Hammurabi and King Solomon have a strong power. According to hyperhistory, Hammurabi was the first ruler of Babylon Empire. Then he united all of the Mesopotamia (what is today known as Iran) to become under his rule. He justly ruled the people with the fair law. In 1786 B.C. he wrote 282 laws about governing family, criminal punishment, civil law, ethics, business, prices, trade known as “the Code of Hammurabi”. King Solomon was known for his wisdom, his wealth and his writing. As one evident, he was a judge for one lawsuit. With his cleverness, he could solve the problem easily. This made him became best known and people surrounding the nation also wanted to come and hear his wisdom. (Schoenberg, 2010) In conclusion, Hammurabi and King Solomon were the same for their strong power.
Another similarity was about encouraged trade. Hammurabi waged several campaigns. The purpose of this was to gain control of the Tigris and Euphrates waters. It was the important source for surrounding notion’s agriculture. For other campaigns is to control the trade way to the mines in Iraq. These were an important part in trading. (Giokaris, Gelfand, & Engelmann, 2003) Schoenberg S. said that King Solomon accumulated enormous wealth. He has a large share trade with north and south countries. It can be considered as his prosperous era. So this is another way of similarity between Hammurabi and King Solomon.
Hammurabi and King Solomon kept focus on temple. As a ruler, Hammurabi built temple. Although, Hammurabi is not famous in building temple, but he also gave attention to it. In his code, there was a law about temple: “If any one steal the property of a temple or of the court, he shall be put to death, and also the one who receives the stolen thing from him shall be put to death”, stated by Marin, P. (Jackson J. Spielvogel, 2003) King Solomon is best known for building a temple. He began to build the Holy Temple. He used the wood from King Hiram and all the nations that were under his control. It built up of stone and cedar and overlaid with pure gold. The temple took seven to complete, as Schoenberg, S. has written on her article. Therefore, it could be conclude that both Hammurabi and Solomon are focused and gave attention to temple.
In conclusion, Hammurabi and King Solomon are having things in common. They both have such a great strong power. They both encouraged trade and gain enormous wealth. Temple also took a big part in their period. Therefore, it could be said that both kings are similar to each other. They are a great king in a history which is valuable to study.
Works Cited
Giokaris, A., Gelfand, K., & Engelmann, R. (2003, March 12). Hammurabi, King of Babylon. Retrieved September 17, 2010, from World History Chronology: http://www.thenagain.info/WebChron/MiddleEast/Hammurabi.html
Jackson J. Spielvogel, P. (2003). World History. United States of America: McGraw-Hill Companies.
Martin, P. (1998). Hammurabi's Code of Laws. Retrieved September 17, 2010, from phillipmartin: http://www.phillipmartin.info/hammurabi/hammurabi_law001-50.htm
Nosotro, R. (2010, September 10). Hammurabi. Retrieved September 17, 2010, from hyperhistory: http://www.hyperhistory.net/apwh/bios/b1hammurabi.htm
Schoenberg, S. (2010). Solomon. Retrieved September 17, 2010, from jewishvirtuallibrary.: http://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/jsource/biography/Solomon.html
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