The ancient civilization credited with writing the world's first code of law is Mesopotamia, particularly under the rule of King Hammurabi of Babylon. Hammurabi's Code, established around 1754 BCE, is one of the earliest and most complete written legal codes known. The code consisted of 282 laws that covered various aspects of daily life, justice, and commerce. It is famous for its principle of retributive justice, encapsulated in the phrase "an eye for an eye." Hammurabi's Code laid the groundwork for future legal systems and illustrates how societies established order and governance through written laws, promoting the idea of justice.