Legal Contracts

It is interesting to note that as Babylon's economic and political activity is growing and extending, the need for written, legal documentation is more vital than ever. In Hammurabi's law codes, deals made without a written contract may result in baseless claim or even death. The breadth of written records found for modern scholarly study attests to the importance of a written record.

The temple's and royal palace's require written documents of the land they rent or own were required. The system of land ownership was complex. The ruling party can allow a dependent population to work the land, give it away or sell it.

Wills and statements of family ownership were also vital to Babylonian life. Records of a family's ownership of property were passed from one head of the family to another. Wills were binding documents that stipulated how much each child inherited. Marriage contracts were even like business contracts, stipulating the wife's dowry.

As Babylon grew in population, the need to establish a record of ownership of more vital than ever.