The Greatest King of Babylon

Hammurabi’s reign as King of Babylon was significant in shaping his legacy in Ancient Mesopotamian history. He mastered the positions of diplomat, warrior, and ruler in order to position himself as the ultimate leader. In the first few chapters of Mieroop’s, “King Hammurabi of Babylon”, he emphasizes the importance of Hammurabi’s societal and military prowess in shaping his legacy as king. Mieroop first describes the importance of Hammurabi being able to clear the debts of the people in his kingdom. This allowed him to start his reign with a so-called “clean slate”, something that must have been highly appreciated and welcomed by the citizens of Babylon. This was probably seen as a significant economic boost in the kingdom and it further justified Hammurabi’s position as a prominent political leader. Hammurabi was also known for his gracious relationship with the Gods, something that was seen in a very positive light among his people. He also succeeded in the military realm as well, with the conquering of Elam and Larsa providing important economic benefits for the people of Babylon.
If we were to compare Hammurabi’s time as king with Gilgamesh’s mostly fictional account as king, we would see a few differences in the way they chose to utilize their power. Gilgamesh was first hated by his people and completely misused the power that was given to him, only to later realize that this power was a gift and that he should be using it to better the lives of his people. Hammurabi, on the other hand, began as a compassionate and politically dominant leader who acted on behalf of his people for the best of his people. Hammurabi also valued his relationship with the Gods more than Gilgamesh did, and that could have played a role in how much his people respected him, and how fortunate he would be in his political aspirations.