Question

Analyze the following law from the Code of Hammurabi, the legal code used in ancient Babylon.

Answer 1

This tells us that their society was patriarchical and hierarchical. A man could have transfered his posesssions to his wife for example. If he died and only in the case of their sons (daughters aren't even mentioned) not claiming any of these posesions, could the mother decide which son would she would give the posessions. 

It also does indicate fairness as, if none of them had any special desire which wanted what, she could decide how to divide or give these posessions away.