Law refers to a system of rules that a particular state or community recognises as regulating the actions and/or behaviours of its members. In a densely populated world, commonly accepted and followed laws, as well as regulations and norms, help people to get along with others and to reduce disputes and atrocities.

Hunter-gatherers lived in small bands, constantly roaming around large areas, and could not possess much private property. Perishables, such as hunted meat and foraged plants, were also better off shared with others, because they had no means to preserve them.

After the introduction of agriculture, permanent settlements and rising populations led to many disputes, as farmers began to quarrel over land, property, water, and many other matters. Before the rule of law, wrongdoings were usually revenged with the help of families and friends, sometimes leading to bloody feuds that could last over generations.

As states emerged, rulers assumed the sole right to use violence. Trying to resolve the disputes peacefully, they compiled lists of punishments and sanctions for persons who committed crimes, fraud, or other unwanted behaviours. The earliest known code of law was crafted by Ur-Nammu, king of Ur, around 2100 BCE, stipulating punishments for bearing false witness or causing injuries to others.

Perhaps the most famous of early laws, however, was the Code of Hammurabi in Babylon. Babylon was a small and insignificant town until Hammurabi was crowned its king in 1792 BCE. Hammurabi was an avid warrior and destroyed other cities that defied him, eventually conquering most of Mesopotamia.

Despite his achievements on the battlefield, Hammurabi became better known for his administrative skills. Hammurabi not only honoured the traditions and cultures of other lands he brought under his rule, but he also provided unity and stability by compiling a collection of laws that applied across the Babylonian Empire.

The Code of Hammurabi was inscribed into a stele, a standing stone. It described almost three hundred judgements for various aspects of life, from criminal justice and marriage to adoption and inheritance. Probably the part best known today is an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth to those who harmed others. Though the code was by no means equal and certainly favoured people with wealth and rank, as well as males over females, it also offered some protection to women, commoners, and enslaved people.

Hammurabi died in 1750 BCE, but his legal system taught justice for future generations long after his death.

Bibliography

DK. 2022. Big History the Greatest Events of All Time from the Big Bang to Binary Code. London, United Kingdom: Penguin Random House. 375 p. ISBN 9780241515525. Pages 262-263.

Frankopan, P. 2023. The Earth Transformed an Untold History. London, United Kingdom: Bloomsbury Publishing. 695 p. ISBN 9781526622563. Pages 113-114.

Harari, Y. N. 2015. Sapiens a Brief History of Humankind. London, United Kingdom: Vintage. 512 p. ISBN 9780099590088. Pages 117-119.

Potter, W. 2023. Homo Sapiens the History of Humanity And the Development of Civilization. London, United Kingdom: Arcturus Publishing Limited. 256 p. ISBN 9781788280914. Pages 58-59.

Svärd, S. & Töyräänvuori, J. 2022. Muinaisen Lähi-Idän Imperiumit. Helsinki, Finland: Gaudeamus. 296 p. ISBN 9789523451711. Page 32.

National Geographic (2019) Who was Hammurabi? Available at: https://www.nationalgeographic.com/culture/article/hammurabi (Accessed: 20 January 2025).

Next Story

1800 BCE
Beginnings of monotheistic religions

Religion is a set of human beliefs concerning the cause, nature, and purpose of the Universe based on faith in something supernatural that many call God. Whereas polytheists believe in many Gods, monotheists worship only one. Today, more than half of the population on Earth is either Christians or Muslims (monotheists). Hinduism (polytheistic) is the third most common religion, while atheism (a lack of belief in gods) is rising as science can explain many phenomena that were once beyond human understanding (the reason leading people to believe in the supernatural).

Previous Story

2300 BCE
The first empire arises

An empire is a collection of states, each with distinct peoples and cultures, and under the sway of a core state. The first empire arose in the Near East when Sargon the Great conquered not only the whole of ancient Mesopotamia but also large areas outside, his empire stretching from the Persian Gulf to the Mediterranean. Sargon became a role model for many future kings who sought to subjugate ever more people under their rule, and during the past 2,500 years, most humans have lived their lives in empires.