The ancient civilization credited with the creation of the first known code of law is the Babylonian Empire, specifically with the Code of Hammurabi. Established around 1754 BC, this code is one of the oldest deciphered writings of significant length in the world. It laid out laws and corresponding punishments, emphasizing justice and order within society. The code influenced legal systems in subsequent civilizations and demonstrated an early attempt at written governance, thus setting a historical precedent for future legal frameworks.