The ancient civilization credited with creating the first known code of law is the Babylonian civilization, specifically the Code of Hammurabi. Instituted around 1754 BCE by King Hammurabi, this code consisted of 282 laws governing various aspects of daily life, justice, and social order. Written on a stele, the laws addressed issues such as trade, theft, and family, establishing the principle of "an eye for an eye." The Code of Hammurabi is significant not only for its legal content but also for its influence on subsequent legal systems and its demonstration of early forms of governance and social structure.