List of ancient legal codes

The legal code was a common feature of the legal systems of the ancient Middle East. The Sumerian Code of Ur-Nammu (c. 2100–2050 BCE), then the Babylonian Code of Hammurabi (c. 1760 BCE), are amongst the earliest originating in the Fertile Crescent. In the Roman empire, a number of codifications were developed, such as the Twelve Tables of Roman law (first compiled in 450 BCE) and the Corpus Juris Civilis of Justinian, also known as the Justinian Code (429–534 CE). In ancient China, the first comprehensive criminal code was the Tang Code, created in 624 CE in the Tang Dynasty. In India, the Edicts of Ashoka (269–236 BCE) were followed by the Law of Manu (200 BCE).

The upper part of the stele of Hammurabi's code of laws.

The following is a list of ancient legal codes in chronological order:

• Code of Urukagina (2,380–2,360 BCE)
• Cuneiform law (2,350–1,400 BCE)
• Code of Ur-Nammu, king of Ur (c. 2050 BCE)
• Laws of Eshnunna (c. 1930 BCE)[1]
• Codex of Lipit-Ishtar of Isin (c. 1870 BCE)[2]
• Babylonian laws / Code of Hammurabi (c. 1790 BCE)
• Hittite laws (c. 1650–1100 BCE)
• Code of the Nesilim (c. 1650–1500 BCE)
• Law of Moses / Torah (10th–6th century BCE)
• Assyrian laws / Code of the Assura (c. 1075 BCE)
• Draconian constitution (7th century BCE)
• Gortyn code (5th century BCE)
• Twelve Tables of Roman Law (451 BCE)
• Edicts of Ashoka of Buddhist Law (269–236 BCE)
• Law of Manu (c. 200 BCE)
• Tirukkural, Ancient Tamil laws and ethics compiled by Thiruvalluvar (31 BCE–500 CE)
• Corpus Juris Civilis (Justinian code) (529 to 534 CE)
• Sharia or Islamic Law (c. 570)
• Tang Code (624 to 637)
• Halakha (Jewish religious law, including biblical law and later talmudic and rabbinic law, as well as customs and traditions)
• Traditional Chinese law
• Gentoo Code
• Brehon Law