Editing Code of Hammurabi (section)

===Hammurabi===
[[File: Hammurabi's Babylonia 1.svg|thumb|alt=Map of Babylonian territory before and after Hammurabi's reign|[[Babylon]]ian territory before (red) and after (orange) [[Hammurabi]]'s reign]]
[[Hammurabi]] (or Hammurapi), the sixth king of the [[Amorite]] [[First Dynasty of Babylon]], ruled from 1792 to 1750 BC ([[middle chronology]]). He secured Babylonian dominance over the [[Mesopotamia]]n plain through military prowess, diplomacy, and treachery. When Hammurabi inherited his father [[Sin-Muballit]]'s throne,{{sfnp|Renger|2020}} [[Babylon]] held little local sway; the local hegemon was [[Rim-Sin]] of [[Larsa]]. Hammurabi waited until Rim-Sin grew old, then conquered his territory in one swift campaign, leaving his organisation intact.{{sfnp|Van De Mieroop|2007|pp=92–93}} Later, Hammurabi betrayed allies in [[Eshnunna]], [[Elam]], and [[Mari, Syria|Mari]] to gain their territories.{{sfnp|Van De Mieroop|2007|pp=100–104}}

Hammurabi had an aggressive foreign policy, but his letters suggest he was concerned with the welfare of his many subjects and was interested in law and justice.{{sfnmp|1a1=Driver|1a2=Miles|1y=1952|1p=52|2a1=Van De Mieroop|2y=2007|2pp=111–113}} He commissioned extensive construction works, and in his letters, he frequently presents himself as his people's shepherd.{{sfnp|Van De Mieroop|2007|pp=111–113}} Justice is also a theme of the prologue to the Code,{{sfnp|Driver|Miles|1952|p=36}} and "the word translated 'justice' [{{lang|akk|ešērum}}]... is one whose root runs through both prologue and epilogue".{{sfnp|Driver|Miles|1952|p=37}}