c. 2112–2004 BCEReputable source · 3 sourcesWell documented
The Third Dynasty of Ur and the First Law Code
On the timeline · around c. 2112–2004 BCE ·
What happened
Ur-Nammu founded the Third Dynasty of Ur, reuniting Sumer and raising the Great Ziggurat of Ur. His reign produced the Code of Ur-Nammu — the oldest surviving written law code, predating Hammurabi's by three centuries.
Why it matters
The Code of Ur-Nammu is the earliest known set of written laws, already setting fixed penalties for crimes — the beginning of a legal tradition that shapes the world today.
Sources
- World History Encyclopedia. Ur-Nammu · Reputable source
- World History Encyclopedia. Code of Ur-Nammu · Reputable source
- World History Encyclopedia. Ziggurat · Reputable source