The Assyrian Laws, edited and translated by G. R. Driver and John C. Miles, is a foundational reference work on the legal traditions of ancient Assyria. First published in 1935 by the Clarendon Press at Oxford, this volume presents the Assyrian law codes in their original Akkadian alongside English translations and detailed commentary. Driver and Miles break down each law, interpret its context, and compare it with other Near Eastern legal traditions, including the Code of Hammurabi.
Significance:
This work remains one of the most respected academic treatments of Assyrian legal history. Because few primary sources survive from Assyria’s legal system, any complete translation is rare — and this Clarendon Press edition is considered a scholarly classic. It is frequently cited in studies of biblical law, comparative Ancient Near Eastern law, anthropology, and the development of justice systems across early civilizations. Copies of this edition are increasingly scarce, especially in strong condition, and are prized by historians, theologians, and collectors of ancient legal texts.