The ancient society credited with developing the first known code of laws is Babylon. The Code of Hammurabi, established by King Hammurabi around 1754 BC, is one of the earliest and most complete written legal codes. It consisted of 282 laws governing various aspects of society, emphasizing justice through strict "an eye for an eye" principles. This code laid foundational concepts for legal systems and influenced societal norms regarding justice and governance in ancient civilizations and beyond.