Ancient Laws Using the laws listed in the Code of Hammurabi draw some inferences about the civilization that would employ/embrace such a system of laws and punishments. Consider also what our system of laws and punishment might say about us to outside observers. Finally, what subject do many of the Hammurabi\'s laws seem to concern themselves? Why? \"Remember we are looking at a civilization that is thousands of years old it is important to not view it anachronistically (i.e. through our enlightened tens of the 21st century: this often brings us into conflict with pursuing the noble dream\" of History). Solution Defination: The Code of Hammurabi is a well-preserved Babylonian law code of ancient Mesopotamia, dating back to about 1754 BC (Middle Chronology). It is one of the oldest deciphered writings of significant length in the world. Summary: Hammurabi and His Code of Laws - Summary. In about 1780 B.C., a Babylonian ruler named Hammurabi codified hundreds of laws and had them written on an eight-foot stele made of black basalt. Now in the Louvre, the stele\'s inscriptions were unintelligible for thousands of years. Significance: The Code of Hammurabi is a well-preserved Babylonian law code of ancient Mesopotamia, dating back to about 1754 BC (Middle Chronology). It is one of the oldest deciphered writings of significant length in the world. Civilization: Hammurabi is the best known and most celebrated of all Mesopotamian kings. He ruled the Babylonian Empire from 1792-50 B.C.E. Although he was concerned with keeping order in his kingdom, this was not his only reason for compiling the list of laws. Mesopotamian civilization: One of the earliest and most complete ancient legal codes was proclaimed by the Babylonian king Hammurabi, who reigned from 1792 to 1750 B.C. Hammurabi expanded the city-state of Babylon along the Euphrates River to unite all of southern Mesopotamia.