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1754 BCE
Hammurabi's Code
It is the emblem of the Mesopotamian civilization. It is significant because this set of laws predates biblical commandments. -
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. -
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 -
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. -
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. -
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
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
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.
