The significance of including King Hammurabi with Shamash as a relief sculpture on the top of the Law Stele of Hammurabi was to illustrate his authority of justice.
1. **Illustrating Authority**: By depicting King Hammurabi standing before the sun god Shamash, who was associated with justice, the relief sculpture symbolized Hammurabi's role as a ruler who upholds the laws and administers justice. It visually conveyed the idea that Hammurabi derived his authority to rule and enforce laws from the divine realm.
2. **Symbol of Justice**: The presence of Shamash, the god of justice, emphasized the importance of fairness and equity in Hammurabi's legal code. It signified that the laws inscribed on the stele were meant to ensure justice for all individuals within the society.
3. **Divine Endorsement**: The inclusion of a god in the relief sculpture also served to legitimize Hammurabi's laws by suggesting that they were not merely human constructs but were endorsed by a higher power, thereby reinforcing their importance and validity in the eyes of the people.
In conclusion, the depiction of King Hammurabi with Shamash on the Law Stele of Hammurabi symbolized his authority in upholding justice, emphasized the significance of fair laws, and conveyed a sense of divine endorsement for the legal code.
