The impact of the Code of Hammurabi on ancient society was profound, as it established one of the earliest known sets of laws dictating civic and criminal justice in ancient Babylon around 1754 BCE. The Code encompasses a broad range of regulations covering areas such as family law, trade, and labor, often following the principle of "lex talionis," or the law of retaliation (an eye for an eye). It sought to create consistent justice and social order, enhancing the authority of the state. The Code set precedent for future legal systems and influenced later legal codes, reflecting the values and norms of ancient Mesopotamian society.