The ancient civilization known for its laws and governance systems is Mesopotamia, particularly through the Code of Hammurabi. Established around 1754 BC in Babylon, this code is one of the earliest and most complete written legal codes, comprising 282 laws governing various aspects of society, including trade, property, family, and criminal justice. The principles of retribution and justice in Hammurabi's code had a significant influence on legal systems that followed. Mesopotamia's innovations in governance also laid the foundations for complex societies, influencing democracy and legal systems throughout later civilizations, particularly in Western cultures.