Ruler · 1810 BC – 1750 BC
Hammurabi
Expanded Babylon into the dominant power of Mesopotamia and promulgated a comprehensive law code of nearly 300 statutes, inscribed in stone, that shaped the legal traditions of the ancient Near East.
Political Achievements
- United the city-states of Mesopotamia under Babylon.
- Issued a comprehensive written law code.
- Organized irrigation, taxation and administration across his realm.
Major Works
- The Code of Hammurabi
Impact Analysis
Hammurabi's code influenced the legal traditions of the entire ancient Near East and stands as a landmark in the history of written law and the idea that rulers are bound to dispense justice.
Historical influence score: 86/100