The Babylonian Code of Hammurabi outlined grotesque punishments for crimes. Written between 1792 to 1750 B.C., such punishments included a son’s hands being cut off for striking his father, or the killing of one’s daughter for retribution of another woman’s murder.
Ancient Egyptian men and women of similar social status were lawfully treated as equals. This meant that women could own, earn, buy, sell, and inherit property, and also had the right to divorce and remarry.