The ancient civilization that created the first known systematic code of laws was the Sumerians, specifically through the Code of Ur-Nammu, which dates back to around 2100-2050 BCE. However, the most recognized and comprehensive early legal code is the Code of Hammurabi, established by the Babylonian king Hammurabi around 1754 BCE. These codes laid out laws governing various aspects of daily life, including trade, property rights, and personal conduct, emphasizing justice and societal order. Such legal frameworks were crucial in the development of organized societies and governance, influencing subsequent legal systems throughout history.