"The Code Of Hammurabi" - читать интересную книгу автора (Johns Rev Claude Hermann Walter)

vestal or a hierodule; or give her as a concubine. She had no choice
in these matters, which were often decided in her childhood. A
grown-up daughter might wish to become a votary, perhaps in preference
to an uncongenial marriage, and it seems that her father could not
refuse her wish. In all these cases the father might dower her. If
he did not, on his death the brothers were bound to do so, giving
her a full child's share if a wife, a concubine or a vestal, but
one-third of a child's share if she were a hierodule or a Marduk
priestess. The latter had the privilege of exemption from state dues
and absolute disposal of her property. All other daughters had only
a life interest in their dowry, which reverted to their family, if
childless, or went to their children if they had any. A father
might, however, execute a deed granting a daughter power to leave
her property to a favourite brother or sister. A daughter's estate was
usually managed for her by her brothers, but if they did not satisfy
her, she could appoint a steward. If she married, her husband
managed it.
The son also appears to have received his share on marriage, but
did not always then leave his father's house; he might bring his
wife there. This was usual in child marriages.
Adoption was very common, especially where the father (or
mother) was childless or had seen all his children grow up and marry
away. The child was then adopted to care for the parents' old age.
This was done by contract, which usually specified what the parent had
to leave and what maintenance was expected. The real children, if any,
were usually consenting parties to an arrangement which cut off
their expectations. They even, in some cases, found the estate for the
adopted child who was to relieve them of a care. If the adopted
child failed to carry out the filial duty the contract was annulled in
the law courts. Slaves were often adopted and if they proved
unfilial were reduced to slavery again.
A craftsman often adopted a son to learn the craft. He profited by
the son's labour. If he failed to teach his son the craft, that son
could prosecute him and get the contract annulled. This was a form
of apprenticeship, and it is not clear that the apprentice had any
filial relation.
A man who adopted a son, and afterwards married and had a family
of his own, could dissolve the contract but must give the adopted
child one-third of a child's share in goods, but no real estate.
That could only descend in the family to which he had ceased to
belong. Vestals frequently adopted daughters, usually other vestals,
to care for their old age.
Adoption had to be with consent of the real parents, who usually
executed a deed making over the child, who thus ceased to have any
claim upon them. But vestals, hierodules, certain palace officials and
slaves had no rights over their children and could raise no
obstacle. Foundlings and illegitimate children had no parents to
object. If the adopted child discovered his true parents and wanted to
return to them, his eye or tongue was torn out. An adopted child was a
full heir, the contract might even assign him the position of eldest