King Hammurabi, ruler of Babylonia, is remembered in many documents as a great lawmaker and warrior. He reigned for some forty years, from about 1792 to 1750 B.C., and made his capital into a city of great splendor.

By using both force and diplomacy Hammurabi extended his rule gradually over all Mesopotamia. His code of laws was a great achievement and gives us an insight into how justice was administered in Assyria and Babylonia.

Hammurabi was also a great soldier and a ruthless leader with a fiery temperament. He loved war but as soon as he had unified his realm he devoted himself to peaceful pursuits and brought great wealth to the nation. His court was frequented by artists, scholars and philosophers. Babylonia became a land of beautiful palaces and buildings such as the temple to the god Marduk which Hammurabi had constructed.