초록 열기/닫기 버튼
Hittite laws are discovered at Bogazkoy, ancient capital of Hattusa of Hittite empire in central Asia Minor, present Turkey. The collections are composed of 200 clauses, in separate two tablets, each with 100 clauses. They are dated approximately from 16 to 12th century BC in Old Kingdom through New Kingdom, but the sponsor is not known. The collections are formulated as case law, common form of Mesopotamian laws. The collections do not claim divine rights of kingship, but are unique to reinterpret and revise old laws in ancient world in the form of “formerly ...; now ...” to adapt to changed situations of times. They do not take lex talionis, but reduced retribution to compensation, providing work force for the deceased family, and even waiving king's share. Most punishments are monetary fines. They are humane to care for personal injuries, providing work force and medical expense. Hittite laws are oppressive in human rights to enforce legal regulations according to class differentiation between fee person and slaves, which was common in Mesopotamia. Sexal regulations are low graded and inconsistent in allowing bestiality with certain animals while prohibiting others. The same is true with incest. The sexual relation with step-mother, mother and sister at certain places, even father and son with the same female slave or prostitute are allowed. which seem to be immoral and tend to distort the social justice in a biblical perspective. Hittite laws are written down in a humanitarian perspective and reinterpretation of the laws is basis for morality. The compensation and lessening of punishments may be advancement for human dignity and a model of civilized society. However, class differention and low sexual morality show limitation of times in ancient world as far as human dignity and equality concerned. Loose sexual morality shows the need of moral enhancement. They are geared toward justice, righteousness, fairness, tolerance, and care for others, which seem meaningful to show legal sense and morality in a context of ancient world. Hittite laws are meaningful to show humanitarian legal thought and reinterpretation of laws inspite of limitations of ages.
키워드열기/닫기 버튼
히타이트 법, 재해석, 탈리오법, 법의식, 도덕성
