Justice, Order, and the Birth of Written Law

Created around 1750 BCE, the Code of Hammurabi is one of the oldest and most complete legal systems ever discovered. Carved on a basalt stele, it contains nearly 300 laws that governed daily life in Babylon.

A Law for Every Situation

The code covers:

Trade and contracts
Marriage and divorce
Property and inheritance
Crime and punishment

Its famous principle “an eye for an eye” established proportional justice, though punishments varied depending on social class.

Why It Was Revolutionary

The Code was publicly displayed so citizens could know the laws, setting a precedent for fairness and transparency. It limited arbitrary decisions by rulers and ensured consistent punishment.

Influence on Later Laws

While not the first legal code ever made, Hammurabi’s is the most influential. Its principles shaped later Middle Eastern, Hebrew, and Greek law, marking a major milestone in the development of justice.