The history of law

The History of Law

  • Hammurabi's Code
    1754 BCE

    Hammurabi's Code

    It is the emblem of the Mesopotamian civilization. It is significant because this set of laws predates biblical commandments.
  • The Ten Comandments
    586 BCE

    The Ten Comandments

    They are a basic summary of the entirety of the Old Testament Law of the Bible, which contains 613 commands. The commandments are still the basis for many laws in the Western world.
  • Justinian's Code
    538 BCE

    Justinian's Code

    The collection of Roman Law into a single volume by Justinian, Emperor of Byzantium. It is still the basis today of many legal codes and systems in the Western world
  • Roman Law
    449 BCE

    Roman Law

    The legal system of ancient Rome, including Roman Military Jurisdiction and the legal developments spanning over a thousand years of jurisprudence. It's significance is reflected by the continued use of Latin legal terminology in many legal systems.
  • English Common Law
    1066

    English Common Law

    It is made by judges sitting in courts, applying legal precedent (stare decisis) to the facts before them. This is the system the United States used until the U.S. Constitution was established.
  • Maga Carta
    1215

    Maga Carta

    It was created to make peace between the unpopular King and a group of rebel barons. It promised the protection of church rights, protection for the barons from illegal imprisonment, access to swift justice, and limitations on feudal payments to the Crown. It is significant because the United States Founding Fathers used many of the principles first codified in it.
  • U.S. Constitution

    U.S. Constitution

    A document that embodies the fundamental laws and principles by which the United States is governed. It is the statement of the basic principles and laws for a nation that is considered fair and free by many.
  • Napoleonic Code

    Napoleonic Code

    The code forbade privileges based on birth, allowed freedom of religion, and specified that government jobs should go to the most qualified. It reformed the French legal code and influenced the system of laws in the countries surrounding France.