The ancient civilization credited with creating the first code of laws is the Sumerians, specifically represented by the Code of Ur-Nammu, dating back to around 2100-2050 BCE. However, the more widely recognized and comprehensive set of laws is the Code of Hammurabi, established by the Babylonian king Hammurabi around 1754 BCE. This code introduced a system of justice based on the principle of "an eye for an eye," addressing various aspects of daily life, including trade, family, and labor relations, which significantly influenced legal systems in later civilizations.