Heidi Morris, age 15, of Erie, Penn., for his question:

WHAT IS THE CODE OF HAMMURABI?

One of the great kings of ancient Babylonia was a man named Hammurabi. He developed the famous Code of Hammurabi, one of the first law codes in history.

Hammurabi was an efficient king who carefully planned every move, often years in advance. He was an outstanding administrator. He reigned for 43 years, probably sometime between 1850 and 1750 B.C.The period of his reign came to be known as the golden age of Babylonia.

The outstanding ruler changed the legal system of the country by revising older legal codes, including one 300 years old. He compiled the great new code that bears his name.

Hammurabi even found time for delicate language reforms. His handling of the Akkadian language, in which the Code of Hammurabi was composed, became a model for all the future writers of ancient Mesopotamia.

The Code of Hammurabi was based on older collections of Sumerian and Akkadian laws, which Hammurabi revised, adjusted and expanded. The code greatly influenced the civilization of all Near Eastern countries It contained nearly 300 legal provisions, including false accusations, witchcraft, military service, land and business regulations, family laws, tariffs, wages, trade, loans and debts.