Hammurabi (Code of Hammurabi)

The Code of Hammurabi is one of the earliest known legal systems, established by the Babylonian king Hammurabi around 1754 BCE. It consists of a collection of laws carved into a stone stele, addressing various aspects of daily life, commerce, property, and justice. The code emphasized the principle of retribution, often summarized as "an eye for an eye," and aimed to ensure social order by defining clear consequences for different offenses. It served to unify the diverse regions of Hammurabi’s empire through consistent legal standards and reflects an early attempt to formalize justice in society.