The civilization that developed the first known code of laws was Mesopotamia, specifically the Babylonian Empire under King Hammurabi around 1754 BCE. Hammurabi's Code is one of the earliest and most complete written legal codes, consisting of 282 laws governing various aspects of daily life, including trade, property rights, family relations, and criminal justice. The code is significant for establishing a rule of law and the principle of "an eye for an eye," reflecting the society's values and social order. Hammurabi's Code influenced legal systems in various cultures and serves as an early example of the codification of laws and governance.