Moral Behavior In Ancient Civilizations

The concept of moral behavior has been developing since the ancient civilizations in their views of justice, truth, and order. These ancient civilizations had to figure out how to create order in their societies to keep them without anarchy. There were many differences in the cultures of these civilizations that led to vast variations in the concept of right and wrong. Systems of governments were formed with rules and expectations for anyone living there during this time. Civilizations like the Mesopotamians, Egyptians, and Chinese are primary examples of the attempt to make a righteous and just society with rules, codes, and punishments. Each civilization answered these tasks in different ways since there is no universal view of right and

Hammurabi created a list of judgements that would be used on ancient Mesopotamians to keep order and their sense of justice. The ideals and values of this society is that men hold the highest power, and slaves are treated as only property. This distinct social hierarchy is evident throughout the code. In the marriage and family section, law 148 states, “If a man has married a wife, and sickness has seized her, then he may marry another” (Hammurabi). Conversely, rule 129 says, “If the wife of a man is found lying with another male, then they shall be bound and thrown into the water” (Hammurabi). This portrays the inequality of the Mesopotamian society because women could not be with another man under any circumstance, but there is more flexibility for men, and they can be with another woman at the same time. Another description of Mesopotamian justice is in one of the oldest stories known-- the Epic of Gilgamesh. Gilgamesh is disturbing the peace of his village, so the gods send down Enkidu to help change Gilgamesh’s behavior. Throughout his journey, he embraces true morality and aides the community after his journey. He realizes that the truth is in the light, and he learns that one must savor life and help people “justly before the face of the sun” (Gilgamesh). He is praised as great by the end of his