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King Hammurabi of Babylon

A Biography
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( 116 ratings, 18 reviews)
Book Hero Magic crafted this summary to help describe this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Summary
This biography of King Hammurabi of Babylon, written by Professor Marc Van De Mieroop, offers the first comprehensive English account of the famed ruler who led from 1792 to 1750 BC. The book draws extensively on contemporary writings, including translations of letters and reports by ambassadors at Hammurabi's court, to provide a thorough portrait of his life and reign. It traces his diplomatic and military career, highlighting his strategic skill in confronting rivals and expanding his kingdom. Van De Mieroop details the administration of Babylon under Hammurabi and the lasting impact of his legal code, the earliest complete set of laws in history. The book also explores Hammurabi's legacy as a transformative figure in the political landscape of the ancient Middle East and as one of Mesopotamia's greatest remembered kings.
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Format: Paperback / softback
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Book Hero Magic created this recommendation. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! IS THIS YOUR NEXT READ?

This book is ideal for readers interested in ancient history, law, and Middle Eastern studies, as well as those curious about the origins of legal codes and early empires. It suits both academics and general readers seeking an accessible yet detailed biography of a key historical figure.

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* The first biography in English of the famous Babylonian lawgiver, King Hammurabi (fl. 1792 to 1750 BC). * Presents a well--rounded view of Hammurabi's accomplishments. * Describes how Hammurabi dealt with powerful rivals and extended his kingdom.

Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Description

This book presents the first biography written in English of the famous Babylonian lawgiver, King Hammurabi, who ruled from 1792 to 1750 BC. It offers a well-rounded view of this ancient Mesopotamian king's accomplishments by drawing on the extensive writings of his time, including those by Hammurabi himself.

Numerous letters and reports by ambassadors to his court and others are presented in translation. Professor Marc Van De Mieroop traces Hammurabi's career as a diplomat and conqueror, describing how he dealt with powerful rivals and extended his kingdom to create the large state of Babylon. He explores the administration of the kingdom and examines the legacies of Hammurabi's rule, especially his legal code, the earliest complete body of legal instructions in world history.

The book demonstrates how Hammurabi's conquests irrevocably changed the political organisation of the Middle East. It also shows that Hammurabi was long remembered by the ancient Mesopotamians as one of the greatest kings of the past.

Series: Blackwell Ancient Lives

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  • King Hammurabi of Babylon
    This book presents the first biography written in English of the famous Babylonian lawgiver, King Hammurabi, who ruled from 1792 to 1750 BC. It offers a well-rounded view of this ancient Mesopotamian king's accomplishments by drawing on the extensive writings of his time, including those by Hammurabi himself. Numerous letters and reports by ambassadors to his court and others are...
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    Sold Out

Book Hero Magic summarised reviews for this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! HOW HAS THIS BEEN REVIEWED?

Amelie Kuhrt of University College London praises the book for vividly portraying Hammurabi’s ascent and achievements, while providing insight into his personality. Jack M. Sasson from Vanderbilt University commends Van De Mieroop for explaining both Hammurabi's imperial strategies and his historic law code, recommending the book widely. Insights magazine notes the author’s engaging storytelling and accessibility, linking the ancient history to modern perspectives.

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Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9781405126601

Publisher: John Wiley and Sons Ltd

Format: Paperback / softback

Date Published: 09 September 2004

Country: United Kingdom

Imprint: Wiley-Blackwell

Audience: Professional and scholarly

DIMENSIONS

Spine width: 14.0mm

Width: 140.0mm

Height: 217.0mm

Weight: 245g

Pages: 192

About the Author

Marc Van De Mieroop is Professor of Ancient Near East History at Columbia University, New York. He has written numerous books and articles, including most recently A History of the Ancient Near East, c. 3000–323 BC (Blackwell Publishing, 2004).

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