歷(li)史上最早的成(cheng)文法(fa)典是(shi)古代西亞烏(wu)爾(er)第(di)三(san)王(wang)朝(chao)(chao)創始者烏(wu)爾(er)納姆頒(ban)布的。它適(shi)應(ying)奴(nu)(nu)隸(li)(li)(li)制的發展(zhan),主要(yao)用(yong)來保護奴(nu)(nu)隸(li)(li)(li)占有和(he)私有制經(jing)濟,鎮(zhen)壓奴(nu)(nu)隸(li)(li)(li)和(he)貧民(min)的反抗。這部(bu)(bu)法(fa)典大(da)(da)(da)部(bu)(bu)損壞,只(zhi)剩殘片。烏(wu)爾(er)第(di)三(san)王(wang)朝(chao)(chao)(約公元前(qian)(qian)(qian)2113~前(qian)(qian)(qian)2006年(nian))創始人烏(wu)爾(er)納姆(約公元前(qian)(qian)(qian)2113~前(qian)(qian)(qian)2096年(nian)在位)建立了強大(da)(da)(da)的中央集權制度,總攬全國大(da)(da)(da)權,統一兩河流域的法(fa)律,適(shi)應(ying)奴(nu)(nu)隸(li)(li)(li)制的發展(zhan)和(he)奴(nu)(nu)隸(li)(li)(li)主鎮(zhen)壓奴(nu)(nu)隸(li)(li)(li)反抗的需要(yao),緩(huan)和(he)自由民(min)內部(bu)(bu)的矛盾,他下令用(yong)蘇美爾(er)文(楔形文字)寫成(cheng)了一部(bu)(bu)適(shi)用(yong)于烏(wu)爾(er)全境的法(fa)典,這便(bian)是(shi)《烏(wu)爾(er)納姆法(fa)典》。
法(fa)典包括(kuo)序言和正文29條(傳下來的只有23條)兩大(da)部分(fen),沒(mei)有結(jie)語,主(zhu)要涉及政(zheng)治(zhi)、宗(zong)教和法(fa)律等方面(mian)。序言宣稱,是(shi)(shi)神授予烏爾納姆(mu)統治(zhi)權力,烏爾納姆(mu)在人世間的行為是(shi)(shi)按照神意,確立「正義(yi)」和「社會秩(zhi)序」,并列舉了他在保護貧弱、抑制(zhi)豪(hao)強(qiang)等方面(mian)所(suo)采取的措(cuo)施。
現已(yi)發現的(de)(de)最早(zao)抄本大(da)(da)約(yue)是(shi)巴比倫時(shi)代的(de)(de),但(dan)大(da)(da)部分已(yi)毀損(sun),僅存幾條殘片。從破(po)損(sun)較嚴重的(de)(de)法(fa)典(dian)殘片看,法(fa)典(dian)的(de)(de)主(zhu)要(yao)內容是(shi)對奴(nu)(nu)隸制度、婚(hun)姻、家庭、繼承、刑罰(fa)等(deng)方面的(de)(de)規定(ding)。如:第一次(ci)離(li)婚(hun)支(zhi)付1米(mi)納白銀(yin),而第二次(ci)離(li)婚(hun)應當(dang)支(zhi)付1/2米(mi)納白銀(yin),通(tong)奸者(zhe)(zhe)(zhe)將(jiang)(jiang)(jiang)被(bei)處(chu)死;強(qiang)暴(bao)自己(ji)的(de)(de)女(nv)奴(nu)(nu)者(zhe)(zhe)(zhe)將(jiang)(jiang)(jiang)被(bei)課以5西(xi)克爾罰(fa)金;作偽證(zheng)將(jiang)(jiang)(jiang)被(bei)處(chu)以罰(fa)款(kuan);斗毆(ou)中打折骨頭需支(zhi)付1米(mi)納白銀(yin),損(sun)傷腳需支(zhi)付10西(xi)克爾;外國人的(de)(de)土地被(bei)淹沒,每0.3公(gong)頃(qing)土地將(jiang)(jiang)(jiang)給予3古(gu)爾(約(yue)900公(gong)升大(da)(da)麥)補償;將(jiang)(jiang)(jiang)逃亡(wang)奴(nu)(nu)隸捉回的(de)(de)奴(nu)(nu)隸主(zhu)要(yao)給捕捉者(zhe)(zhe)(zhe)適當(dang)的(de)(de)報酬;傷害他人的(de)(de)身世要(yao)處(chu)以酷刑并罰(fa)款(kuan);禁止行巫術;破(po)壞他人耕地者(zhe)(zhe)(zhe)要(yao)支(zhi)付食物(wu)賠(pei)償;女(nv)奴(nu)(nu)對女(nv)主(zhu)人不敬則予體罰(fa)。婦(fu)女(nv)在家庭中地位低下,如犯通(tong)奸罪則處(chu)死等(deng)等(deng)。這些條文(wen)充分表明了當(dang)時(shi)立法(fa)已(yi)采用(yong)罰(fa)金賠(pei)款(kuan)等(deng)方式逐(zhu)步取代同態(tai)復仇。
從現在僅存的(de)(de)二十多條(tiao)殘(can)篇來(lai)看,涉及女(nv)奴(nu)的(de)(de)有五條(tiao),她們(men)時常遭受(shou)強暴、買賣和(he)(he)毆打;有兩(liang)條(tiao)涉及寡婦(fu)(fu),她們(men)的(de)(de)社會地位較(jiao)(jiao)之女(nv)奴(nu)較(jiao)(jiao)好——法(fa)典(dian)序言提到不允許有勢力的(de)(de)人(ren)支配寡婦(fu)(fu),正文又(you)提到遺(yi)棄(qi)寡婦(fu)(fu)的(de)(de)男人(ren)應賠(pei)償(chang)一定數(shu)額(e)的(de)(de)白銀;法(fa)典(dian)也(ye)涉及普(pu)通婦(fu)(fu)女(nv),她們(men)的(de)(de)社會地位比女(nv)奴(nu)和(he)(he)婦(fu)(fu)女(nv)高,但較(jiao)(jiao)普(pu)通男子卑下。盡(jin)管法(fa)典(dian)中仍(reng)殘(can)存著讓河神澄(cheng)清妖術罪和(he)(he)妻子被控通奸罪的(de)(de)規定,但有關身體(ti)傷害的(de)(de)處罰規定比原始(shi)的(de)(de)處罰有了很大的(de)(de)進(jin)步。
《烏爾納姆法典》無論在內容上或形式上,都有創新之處,在西亞地區占有重要的地位,對后來兩河流域各國制定的法典影響頗大。
序言
The prologue, typical of Mesopotamian law codes, invokes the deities for Ur-Nammu's kingship and decrees "equity in the land".
"…After Anand Enlilhad turned over the Kingship of Ur to Nanna, at that time did Ur-Nammu, son born of Ninsun, for his beloved mother who bore him, in accordance with his principles of equity and truth... Then did Ur-Nammu the mighty warrior, king of Ur, king of Sumer and Akkad, by the might of Nanna, lord of the city, and in accordance with the true word of Utu, establish equity in the land; he banished malediction, violence and strife, and set the monthly Temple expenses at 90 gur of barley, 30 sheep, and 30 sila of butter. He fashioned the bronze sila-measure, standardized the one-minaweight, and standardized the stone weight of a shekelof silver in relation to one mina... The orphan was not delivered up to the rich man; the widow was not delivered up to the mighty man; the man of one shekel was not delivered up to the man of one mina."
正文
1. If a man commits a murder, that man must be killed.
2. If a man commits a robbery, he will be killed.
3. If a man commits a kidnapping, he is to be imprisoned and pay 15 shekels of silver.
4. If a slave marries a slave, and that slave is set free, he does not leave the household.
5. If a slave marries a native (i.e. free) person, he/she is to hand the firstborn son over to his owner.
6. If a man violates the right of another and deflowers the virgin wife of a young man, they shall kill that male.
7. If the wife of a man followed after another man and he slept with her, they shall slay that woman, but that male shall be set free. (§4 in some translations)
8. If a man proceeded by force, and deflowered the virgin slavewoman of another man, that man must pay five shekels of silver. (5)
9. If a man divorces his first-time wife, he shall pay her one mina of silver. (6)
10. If it is a (former) widow whom he divorces, he shall pay her half a mina of silver. (7)
11. If the man had slept with the widow without there having been any marriage contract, he need not pay any silver. (8)
13. If a man is accused of sorcery he must undergo ordeal by water; if he is proven innocent, his accuser must pay 3 shekels. (10)
14. If a man accused the wife of a man of adultery, and the river ordeal proved her innocent, then the man who had accused her must pay one-third of a mina of silver. (11)
15. If a prospective son-in-law enters the house of his prospective father-in-law, but his father-in-law later gives his daughter to another man, the father-in-law shall return to the rejected son-in-law twofold the amount of bridal presents he had brought. (12)
17. If a slave escapes from the city limits, and someone returns him, the owner shall pay two shekels to the one who returned him. (14)
18. If a man knocks out the eye of another man, he shall weigh out ½ a mina of silver. (15)
19. If a man has cut off another man’s foot, he is to pay ten shekels. (16)
20. If a man, in the course of a scuffle, smashed the limb of another man with a club, he shall pay one mina of silver. (17)
21. If someone severed the nose of another man with a copper knife, he must pay two-thirds of a mina of silver. (18)
22. If a man knocks out a tooth of another man, he shall pay two shekels of silver. (19)
24. [...] If he does not have a slave, he is to pay 10 shekels of silver. If he does not have silver, he is to give another thing that belongs to him. (21)
25. If a man’s slave-woman, comparing herself to her mistress, speaks insolently to her, her mouth shall be scoured with 1 quart of salt. (22)
28. If a man appeared as a witness, and was shown to be a perjurer, he must pay fifteen shekels of silver. (25)
29. If a man appears as a witness, but withdraws his oath, he must make payment, to the extent of the value in litigation of the case. (26)
30. If a man stealthily cultivates the field of another man and he raises a complaint, this is however to be rejected, and this man will lose his expenses. (27)
31. If a man flooded the field of a man with water, he shall measure out three kur of barley per iku of field. (28)
32. If a man had let an arable field to a(nother) man for cultivation, but he did not cultivate it, turning it into wasteland, he shall measure out three kur of barley per iku of field. (29)
烏(wu)(wu)(wu)(wu)(wu)(wu)爾(er)(er)(er)(er)納(na)姆(mu)(Ur-Nammu)約公(gong)元(yuan)前2113年-公(gong)元(yuan)前2096年在位阿(a)卡德(de)王(wang)國滅亡(wang)后,蠻族(zu)庫(ku)提(ti)人統治(zhi)蘇美爾(er)(er)(er)(er)地區(qu),雖然(ran)其(qi)間有些蘇美爾(er)(er)(er)(er)城邦保(bao)持(chi)著(zhu)相(xiang)對(dui)的獨(du)立(li)和繁榮。公(gong)元(yuan)前2120年,漁夫出身的烏(wu)(wu)(wu)(wu)(wu)(wu)魯克人烏(wu)(wu)(wu)(wu)(wu)(wu)圖(tu)赫(he)(he)加(jia)爾(er)(er)(er)(er)起兵自立(li)為烏(wu)(wu)(wu)(wu)(wu)(wu)魯克王(wang),并(bing)且(qie)打敗了(le)庫(ku)提(ti)人,俘獲(huo)了(le)庫(ku)提(ti)人的末代國王(wang)梯里(li)根(Tiriga),烏(wu)(wu)(wu)(wu)(wu)(wu)圖(tu)赫(he)(he)加(jia)爾(er)(er)(er)(er)占領烏(wu)(wu)(wu)(wu)(wu)(wu)爾(er)(er)(er)(er)后任命烏(wu)(wu)(wu)(wu)(wu)(wu)爾(er)(er)(er)(er)納(na)姆(mu)治(zhi)理烏(wu)(wu)(wu)(wu)(wu)(wu)爾(er)(er)(er)(er)。烏(wu)(wu)(wu)(wu)(wu)(wu)圖(tu)赫(he)(he)加(jia)爾(er)(er)(er)(er)與烏(wu)(wu)(wu)(wu)(wu)(wu)爾(er)(er)(er)(er)納(na)姆(mu)的關系(xi)現在仍(reng)是(shi)(shi)(shi)史學界研(yan)究的課題,一說烏(wu)(wu)(wu)(wu)(wu)(wu)爾(er)(er)(er)(er)納(na)姆(mu)是(shi)(shi)(shi)烏(wu)(wu)(wu)(wu)(wu)(wu)圖(tu)赫(he)(he)加(jia)爾(er)(er)(er)(er)的弟(di)弟(di),另一說烏(wu)(wu)(wu)(wu)(wu)(wu)爾(er)(er)(er)(er)納(na)姆(mu)則是(shi)(shi)(shi)烏(wu)(wu)(wu)(wu)(wu)(wu)圖(tu)赫(he)(he)加(jia)爾(er)(er)(er)(er)的女婿。但(dan)可(ke)能在烏(wu)(wu)(wu)(wu)(wu)(wu)圖(tu)赫(he)(he)加(jia)爾(er)(er)(er)(er)尚在世時,烏(wu)(wu)(wu)(wu)(wu)(wu)爾(er)(er)(er)(er)納(na)姆(mu)就已經(jing)與他(ta)反目為仇,不臣(chen)服(fu)于他(ta)了(le)。約公(gong)元(yuan)前2112年,烏(wu)(wu)(wu)(wu)(wu)(wu)圖(tu)赫(he)(he)加(jia)爾(er)(er)(er)(er)死于一場(chang)意(yi)外(或者可(ke)能是(shi)(shi)(shi)陰謀)。此后烏(wu)(wu)(wu)(wu)(wu)(wu)爾(er)(er)(er)(er)納(na)姆(mu)南征(zheng)北戰,繼阿(a)卡德(de)王(wang)國以后,統一整個美索不達米亞(ya),建立(li)起了(le)強大的中央集權(quan)制王(wang)朝(chao)。(另一強大的蘇美城邦拉格什于約公(gong)元(yuan)前2110年被(bei)征(zheng)服(fu))烏(wu)(wu)(wu)(wu)(wu)(wu)爾(er)(er)(er)(er)納(na)姆(mu)留(liu)給后人一部《烏(wu)(wu)(wu)(wu)(wu)(wu)爾(er)(er)(er)(er)納(na)姆(mu)法典》,今天考(kao)古所得的只是(shi)(shi)(shi)這部法典的一小部分。
《烏爾納姆法典(dian)》是部(bu)成(cheng)熟的(de)法律,蘇美爾文(wen)明(ming)的(de)法制(zhi)體系(xi)已經(jing)(jing)經(jing)(jing)歷了很(hen)長時間的(de)發展。雖然(ran)如此,《烏爾納姆法典(dian)》但仍(reng)然(ran)可(ke)視為人類文(wen)明(ming)史(shi)上現(xian)存的(de)最早的(de)成(cheng)文(wen)法。