1. Political life: Early Mesopotamians established the City-States first, which developed into Kingdoms and later into an Empire. King was both the head of administration and religion. Kings were regarded as the representatives of God on earth. He was the head of the State and owner of the property of the State. He ruled the State in the name of God. Many a time, the King’s authority fell in the hands of military officers. Only the powerful Kings exercised immense power. Priests had a greater voice in the administration. Provincial administration with Governors and horse borne postal system for communication were some important aspects.

2. Hammurabi: He was a Babylonian King who conquered Sumer and ruled between 2123 to 2081 B.C.E. He was one of the greatest Rulers of Mesopotamian civilization. He was a great conqueror and an able administrator. He conquered the whole of Mesopotamia. He was an enlightened despot. He united Sumer and Akkad and divided the province into districts. He personally supervised the administration. He built palaces, temples and fortified Babylon. Central and provincial administration was carried out smoothly, according to the orders of the Emperor.

3. Code of Hammurabi: Hammurabi has become immortal in the history of mankind by his ‘Code of Law’. He collected all the existing laws, classified, improved, added new ones and codified them. The code included 282 laws relating to all aspects of life. It is beautifully engraved on a black stone with the image of King Hammurabi shown as receiving the laws from God Shamash i.e. the Sun God. The code is a mixture of enlightened laws and barbarous punishments. It is aimed at providing equality, giving women the right to own and inherit property. The significance of the code lies in the fact that it covered all aspects of human life. It was an everlasting and monumental legal achievement of Hammurabi which has made him immortal.