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Fault Responsibility and Administrative Law in Late Babylonian Legal Texts

Ricky Bell

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Fault Responsibility and Administrative Law in Late Babylonian Legal Texts (Mesopotamian Civilizations 23)

Fault, Responsibility, and Administrative Law in Late Babylonian Legal Texts (Mesopotamian Civilizations Book 23)

by K. W. Mitchinson

4.7 out of 5

Language	:	English
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Print length	:	742 pages

Ancient Babylonia, a cradle of civilization that flourished in Mesopotamia from the 18th to the 6th century BCE, left behind a rich legacy of legal texts that provide invaluable insights into the legal system that governed this advanced society. Among these texts, the Late Babylonian legal corpus stands out for its sophistication and comprehensiveness, offering a glimpse into the complexities of fault responsibility and administrative law in ancient Babylonia.

Fault Responsibility

Fault responsibility is a fundamental concept in legal systems, referring to the notion that individuals are held accountable for the consequences of their actions or omissions if they can be shown to have acted negligently, intentionally, or recklessly. In the Late Babylonian legal system, fault responsibility played a significant role, as evidenced by the numerous texts that address various aspects of this concept.

One of the key features of fault responsibility in Late Babylonian law was its emphasis on intent. In many cases, the severity of the punishment or compensation awarded was directly related to the degree of intent on the part of the wrongdoer. For example, a person who intentionally killed another person could be sentenced to death, while a person who accidentally killed someone due to negligence might only be required to pay compensation to the victim's family.

Another important aspect of fault responsibility in Late Babylonian law was the concept of contributory negligence. This principle held that if a victim's own actions contributed to their injury or loss, the wrongdoer's liability might be reduced or even eliminated. For instance, if a person was injured in a fight that they had provoked, the court might find that the victim's own fault contributed to the injury and reduce the amount of compensation they were entitled to.

Administrative Law

In addition to fault responsibility, the Late Babylonian legal texts also shed light on the administrative law of this ancient civilization. Administrative law refers to the body of laws that govern the structure and operation of government agencies and their interactions with citizens.

The Late Babylonian legal texts provide evidence of a well-developed and sophisticated administrative law system. The texts describe the responsibilities and powers of various government officials, including judges, administrators, and tax collectors. They also outline the procedures for resolving disputes involving government agencies and provide remedies for citizens who have been wronged by government officials.

One of the most important aspects of Late Babylonian administrative law was the principle of accountability. Government officials were held responsible for their actions and could be punished if they abused their power or neglected their duties. This principle helped to ensure that the government was accountable to its citizens and prevented government officials from acting arbitrarily or oppressively.

The study of fault responsibility and administrative law in Late Babylonian legal texts provides valuable insights into the legal system of this ancient civilization. The texts reveal a sophisticated and nuanced legal framework that governed the interactions between individuals and the state. The principles of fault responsibility and administrative law that were established in Late Babylonian law have had a lasting impact on legal systems around the world, demonstrating the enduring legacy of this ancient civilization.

References

Roth, Martha T. (1995). Law Collections from Mesopotamia and Asia Minor. Scholars Press.
Stol, Marten (2007). The Babylonian Legal System. Peeters Publishers.
The Laws of Babylonia and the Laws of the Hebrew Peoples (1903). Charles Scribner's Sons.

Fault, Responsibility, and Administrative Law in Late Babylonian Legal Texts (Mesopotamian Civilizations Book 23)

by K. W. Mitchinson

4.7 out of 5