The Law Collection of Ur-Namma

Monday September 21, 2026

At that time, I, Ur-Namma, the strong man, king of Ur and king of Sumer and Akkad, by the might of Nanna my master, and by the lawful command of Utu, justice in the country I did indeed establish.

1) If a man commits murder, this man will be executed.

2) If a man acts like a bandit, he will be executed.

3) If a man keeps someone captive, this man will go to jail (and) pay fifteen shekels of silver.

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23) If a man causes the loss of another man's eye, he will pay thirty shekels.

24) If a man breaks off another man's tooth, he will pay thirty shekels.

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33) If a … beats a gentleman's daughter and causes her to miscarry, he will pay thirty shekels of silver.

34) If she dies, this man will be [executed].

35) If a … beats a gentleman's slave girl and causes her to miscarry, he will pay ten shekels.

36) If the slave girl dies, he will give slave for slave.

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B2) If a man dies and has no sons, an unmarried daughter [will become] his heir.

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D3) If a lion mauls a man and a physician heals him, the silver for it will be five shekels.

D4) If a physician extracts a kidney stone, the silver for it will be five shekels.

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E6) If a slave marries his mistress (owner), he will be executed.

The introductory line is from a translation of P432130. The laws are a selection from Miguel Civil's translation of over 80 items. These date to 2112 BCE – 2094 BCE.