The ancient civilization credited with the first code of laws is Mesopotamia, specifically the Babylonian Empire under King Hammurabi. The Code of Hammurabi, established around 1754 BC, consists of 282 laws that addressed various aspects of daily life, justice, and trade. This legal code is significant for its role in shaping future legal systems and principles, including the idea of equal justice and proportional punishment, known as lex talionis or the law of retribution.