The ancient text considered the first written legal code is the Code of Hammurabi. Established around 1754 BCE in ancient Babylon, this code was inscribed on a stone stele and is one of the earliest examples of a legal framework governing a society. The Code consisted of 282 laws covering various aspects of daily life, including trade, property rights, family law, and civil rights, emphasizing the principle of justice. It is renowned for its "eye for an eye" philosophy, which specified retributive justice, reflecting the values and social structure of ancient Mesopotamia.