Xanadu84 said:
Assassinate Hammurabi.
Tell me that over known history, that wouldn't have caused countless, snowballing, unpredictable changes that would have made the modern world no longer even closely resemble the one that led to World War 2. I doubt there would even be a Germany, at least not one named Germany. with those boarders, technology, population, etc.
One: pfffft
Two: At what point during his reign??
Three: His Code was quite influential in the development of 'modern' judicial systems.
Four: I don't think his death would have prevented the rise of subsequent empires (namely Archaemenid, whose interactions with the west would've been delayed, but would've happened anyway, and everyone knows Greek vs Persian is only going end one way, in Asia Minor at least). Besides, some twat would've just taken his place, and given the latter stages of his rule, could hardly have ballsed it up any more or less.
NB Babylonian history not my forte, so correct me to your heart's content.
I stick by my earlier contention: persuade Frederick III not to take up smoking (besides, it's the most fun as far as I'm concerned).