Code of Ur-Nammu: The Oldest Law Code in the World (opens in new tab)

The Code of Ur-Nammu (circa 2100-2050 BCE) is the oldest extant law code in the world. Presenting himself as the father of his people, Ur-Nammu encouraged his subjects to think of themselves as one family and of his laws as the rules of a home. Punishments, except for capital offenses, took the form of fines in the same way a child might be deprived of a favorite pastime or toy for misbehaving. Ur-Nammu issued the code with the understanding that his people knew how to treat each other with r...