Imagine a time traveler in Babylon.

The year is about 458, and a robber has been

caught in the act. He is sentenced to death for his crime. The time traveler takes another trip
in the time machine to the year 542; still in Babylon, but everything is quite different. A similar
crime has been committed, but this time, the punishment is not is the same. The robber has to
pay 3 times the value of the stolen item. This time traveler has experienced two empires, each
with unique laws. That is because these empires were ruled by two completely different
rulers, Justinian and Hammurabi. Both men strived to improve their cities. They had distinct
forms of government and looked at their people through a different perspective. Each ruler
accomplished similar goals; however, they accomplished them in original ways. Justinian and
Hammurabi made historic accomplishments and lasting impressions on our world today.
Justinian's approach was definitely a more positive one.

Justinian and Hammurabi both created a code of laws. Hammurabis code was pretty
straight forward, stating that whatever the crime, the punishment had to be similar or worse.
Hammurabis laws states, [A]n eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth. Hammurabis punishments
were severe and harsh. Criminals were often sentenced to death. Justinian did not
immediately sentence death, because he believed that a person should live with his mistakes,
and try to become better. Their beliefs varied because of the different times that they ruled.
Hammurabi, for instance, thought that a river could judge if someone is guilty or not. If any
one bring an accusation against a man, and the accused go to the river and leap into the
river, if he sink in the river his accuser shall take possession of his house. But if the river
prove that the accused is not guilty, and he escape unhurt, then he who had brought the
accusation shall be put to death, while he who leaped into the river shall take possession of
the house that had belonged to his accuser. (King, L.W.) The river did not actually prove the
innocence of a man. If the man could swim, that would save his life and prove him innocent.

Unlike Hammurabis, Justinians code relied less on nature and superstition, was more
realistic, and was similar to punishments for modern crimes. In Justinian's code, Robbery is
chargeable also as theft; for who deals with the property of another more against that others
will than the robber? And thus the description of the robber as an audacious thief is a good
one. However, as a special remedy for this offense the praetor has introduced the action for
robbery, or plundering with violence, which may be brought within a year for four times the
value, after a year for simple damages, and which lies even when only a single thing of the
slightest value has been taken with violence. (Moyle, J. B.) Although nowadays robbery is a
crime, the robber is not killed immediately. Instead, the punishment matches the severity of
the crime. In Hammurabis code, If any one is committing a robbery and is caught, then he
shall be put to death. (King, L.W.). Most all of Hammurabis punishments for crime resulted in
death. It is evident that the Babylonians did not believe all people were equal.

Justinian is known as one of the most famous rulers in the Mediterranean. He
improved the way the empire was governed, by creating the Code of Justinian. Justinian
wanted to make the laws more humane, in keeping with the idea of brotherly love taught by
Jesus Christ. (Marston, 57.) Justinian also caused some religious improvements in his

empire that were much more effective than the ones that Hammurabi influenced. In the middle
of his reign, there was a large revolt called the Nika riot. This period of civil unrest resulted in
the burning of several important religious and imperial buildings, including Constantinople's
cathedral, the fourth-century Church of Hagia Sophia. (Brooks, Sarah). Many other religious
and government centers were also destroyed, and Justinian was left to clean up the mess.
This he did for the betterment of his people, and he once again made Constantinople a
beautiful city, perhaps even more beautiful than it was before. The riot was a hard time, but
Justinian took it and made many great things out of it. He also extinguished the ideas of
polytheistic religions, such as Greek and Roman. Justinian influenced the spread Orthodoxy
by expanding and rebuilding churches like the Hagia Sophia, Hagia Eirene, and the Chalke.
Hammurabi did not have lasting religious accomplishments like Justinian did. He was
polytheistic, and worshiped many gods. Not many people are still polytheistic to this day, and
much more people are Orthodox.

Returning to the year 2015, it is evident that there is a lot to ponder. There was
injustice in Hammurabis empire, along with rules and punishments formed around nature and
beliefs. Justinian, on the other hand, extended the Byzantine Empire, set a base of codes that
most modern laws still follow, and built up Constantinople. The Hagia Sophia, an architectural
marvel, was built under Justinians rule, and still stands today. His fairness, great
accomplishments, and leadership made him a ruler that is remember today. He is considered
to be the most important ruler of the Eastern Roman Empire. As Justinian said, justice is the
constant and perpetual wish to render to everyone his due. (Snell, Melissa.)