The ancient civilization associated with the Code of Hammurabi is Mesopotamia, specifically the Babylonian Empire. Established by King Hammurabi around 1754 BC, the Code represents one of the earliest known sets of laws inscribed on a stone stele. The legal code covered various aspects of daily life, including trade, property rights, family relations, and criminal justice, emphasizing the principle of retributive justice ("an eye for an eye"). It served to establish order and fairness in society, reflecting the sophisticated nature of Babylonian governance. The Code of Hammurabi is a pivotal historical document in the development of legal systems.