The Code of Hammurabi, established in the Babylonian region of Mesopotamia, dates back to 1754 BCE. It is one of the world's oldest and most complete legal codes.
King Hammurabi was the sixth king of the First Babylonian Dynasty. His code worked not only to compensate the victims of crimes, but also to punish perpetrators. The document contains the earliest example of the legal principle of ‘innocent until proven guilty.’
King Hammurabi's legacy can still be seen today. In fact, in the United States Supreme Court building, a depiction of Hammurabi is carved into the marble relief alongside twenty-three other great lawmakers in history.
Code of Hammurabi, King of Babylon (via Wikimedia Commons)