The Code of Hammurabi, established in ancient Babylon around 1754 BC, is one of the earliest known legal codes and principles of justice. It consists of 282 laws covering various aspects of society, including trade, family, property rights, and civil and criminal law. The Code is notable for its "lex talionis" principle, or the law of retaliation, which advocates for justice based on an eye for an eye. This early legal framework significantly influenced subsequent legal systems by introducing the concept of written laws and emphasizing the importance of justice and order in society as a means to govern effectively.