Heroes

One of Mesopotamia’s greatest heroes was King Hammurabi of Babylon. He became famous for writing down the first set of 282 laws in history, called the Code of Hammurabi. These laws were carved into a giant black stone pillar so everyone could see them. Some laws were fair, but others were very strict!

Here are a few examples:

“If a builder’s house collapses and kills the owner, the builder must be put to death.”

“If someone steals from a temple or palace, they will be executed.”

“If a son strikes his father, his hand shall be cut off.”

“If a man puts out another man’s eye, his own eye shall be put out.”

This is where we get the saying “an eye for an eye.” But Hammurabi also made laws to protect the weak: farmers could not be overtaxed, and merchants had to use honest measures.

Gilgamesh was the legendary king of Uruk, and his story, The Epic of Gilgamesh, is the oldest written story in the world, carved into clay tablets over 4,000 years ago. He was part god and part human — strong and brave, but also proud. When his best friend Enkidu died, Gilgamesh went on a long journey to discover the secret of eternal life. In the end, he learned that no one can live forever, and that a good life comes from kindness, wisdom, and leaving behind good deeds that people will remember.

The Epic of Gilgamesh was written on 12 clay tablets in cuneiform writing.

It includes a great flood story that may have inspired later tales like Noah’s Ark.

The story was lost for over 2,000 years before being rediscovered in the 1800s.

Some people call Gilgamesh the world’s first superhero.

The themes of friendship, courage, and the search for meaning appear in many modern stories and movies.

Gilgamesh shows that even the strongest heroes must face time — but that wisdom and kindness last forever.