This essay compares some major works in ancient history: The Epic of Gilgamesh, The Code of Hammurabi, Job, The Ten Commandments, and Amos

Throughout history there have been many written works and documents that have shed light on the various ideas and values that characterize the Western tradition. Such works focused on the great ideas that have helped in shaping the Western heritage. Some of these documents that "capture the characteristic outlook of an age and that provide a sense of movement and development of Western history" include The Epic of Gilgamesh, The Code of Hammurabi, Genesis, Job, …

…that expanded the Hebrew religious thought was Amos, a mid-eight century prophet. He protested injustices that were occurring during the time period. A major injustice occurring was "small farmers in debt to moneylenders faced the loss of their land or even bondage." Every work that has been mentioned, although thousands of years old, has aided in laying down the foundation, in some way, shape or form, for the modern world in which we live today.