Hammurabi's Code was created around 1790 BC in ancient Mesopotamia. Hammurabi, the Babylonian king, had 282 laws with punishments etched into large stone and clay tablets. Here is a picture of the most complete example that is shaped like a large index finger, in which the laws are inscribed with cuneiform.

A photograph of the actual “Code of Hammurabi” inscribed on a large, standing slab of stone
Source: Code of Hammurabi IMG 1932, Deror avi/Paris, Wikimedia

This activity might not be viewable on your mobile device. The Codex Hammurabi

Click here to hear excerpts of Hammurabi's Code read in its original language.