The Code of Hammurabi

A foundational document in the history of law, this volume presents one of the earliest known legal codes from ancient Mesopotamia, issued by Babylonian King Hammurabi around 1760 BC. It details a comprehensive system of justice, listing crimes and their corresponding punishments, civil regulations, and rules for societal conduct.

Set within the broader context of early civilizations, the Code offers insight into the values, hierarchies, and legal thought of its time. Unyielding in tone, it emphasizes the authority of law over personal circumstance, while also hinting at procedural fairness through the right to present evidence.

This edition examines the cultural and historical framework of the Code, shedding light on the legal consciousness of one of humanity's earliest urban societies. A pivotal resource for understanding the origins of legal tradition, it reveals the enduring legacy of law as a tool of governance and order.