The establishment of the first known code of laws by Hammurabi, known as the Code of Hammurabi, was triggered by the need for social order and justice in ancient Mesopotamia around 1754 BCE. As the ruler of the Babylonian Empire, Hammurabi faced challenges related to governance, trade, and social harmony. To unify his diverse empire and alleviate disputes among his subjects, he enacted this code as a set of standardized laws, inscribing them on a stone stele for public visibility. The code covered various aspects of daily life, including commerce, family, and criminal justice, promoting the principle of "an eye for an eye" as a form of justice.