Why were Hammurabi's laws so harsh?

Answer 1

If a son shall strike his mother or father, his hands shall be cut off.

If a builder builds the house of another man, and it collapses and the owner is killed, the builder shall be killed.

(relating to the law above) If the owners son dies, the builders son is killed.

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Answer 2

There are about 282 laws. Here are some random ones:

#6 If any one steal the property of a temple or of the court, he shall be put to death, and also the one who receives the stolen thing from him shall be put to death.

#15 If any one take a male or female slave of the court, or a male or female slave of a freed man, outside the city gates, he shall be put to death.

#14 If any one steal the minor son of another, he shall be put to death.

Answer 3

Most of Hammurabi's laws say " be put to death". For example if I was to break into a house and rob it but be caught in the act I shall be put to death. But some laws did not say to be put to death. For example if I hit my dad or mom both of my hands shall be cut off.