You live in Babylon, 1400 BC. As you walk in a back alley some

>>2756303
Eye for an eye

>>2756303
if nobody sees you you're good.

>>2756324
>>2756336
does the city guard take you in?
are there jail houses?
will there be an investigation?
does his family have a right to retribute?

>>2756324
This at least at some point it was literal law

>>2756353
>does the city guard take you in?
No. The relatives of the guy you killed have to find you, prove its you, and then the city guard will take you.
>are there jail houses?
No. You pay in life, pain or money, not time.
>will there be an investigation?
Yes, conducted by the victim and presented to the king/his underlings to judge.
>does his family have a right to retribute?
Yes, in all cases.

>>2756374
>No. You pay in life, pain or money, not time.
not prison, i mean are you held in custody until a trial takes place?
>Yes, in all cases.
but the punishment for robbery is death! how come they can avenge?!
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Code_of_Hammurabi
Theft
>Ex. Law #22: "If any one is committing a robbery and is caught, then he shall be put to death."[23]

>>2756387
>not prison, i mean are you held in custody until a trial takes place?
I think there could be something like house arrest, but I am not sure.
Maybe you wouldn't be allowed to leave the city.
I know for a fact that the "jail" was only used for people awaiting execution, if there are celebrations or otherwise they can't be done in right now.

>but the punishment for robbery is death! how come they can avenge?!
Well, the robber would be killed, if he were alive.
However, you murdered him, and will be punished for murder.

>>2756387
>>2756392
I will alter my post a bit. It will be up to the king (or other appointed judge) to determine on an individual basis.
So perhaps the murder in self defense during a robbery might not get you executed, if the guy was a known thief, you are a known good guy, he had a knife on you, and so on.

At any rate, it is important to remember that back then it wasn't "rule of law", it was "rule of the king". He (or his appointed agents) could judge individual cases. The code of law was a guide.

>>2756392
very interesting. thanks!