Which civilization is known for creating a structured legal code to regulate society?

Mesopotamia is recognized for the establishment of some of the earliest and most structured legal codes in history, notably the Code of Hammurabi. This legal code, created by King Hammurabi around 1780 BCE, consisted of over 280 laws that addressed various aspects of daily life, including commerce, property rights, family relations, and criminal justice. The laws were inscribed on a stone stele and publicly displayed, emphasizing the importance of legal order in society and the principle of retribution, often summarized by the phrase "an eye for an eye."

Hammurabi's Code is significant because it provided a framework for governance, justice, and social order, influencing subsequent legal systems in other civilizations. This development marked a critical advancement in human society, as it moved beyond arbitrary rulings to a more systematic approach to law and order.

In contrast, while Ancient Greece, Ancient Rome, and the Indus Valley Civilization also established legal systems, their contributions to the development of legal codes were later or differed in form and function compared to the early and comprehensive efforts seen in Mesopotamia.