From bizarre bans to brutal punishments, the laws of ancient civilizations could be as fascinating as they were fearsome. These justice systems and moral codes were the legal frameworks of early civilizations and offer insight into how people understood power, order, and human behavior. So let’s take a walk into the past as we explore the laws that once governed some of the most powerful nations on the planet.
The Code of Hammurabi (Babylon, c. 1754 BCE)
The Code of Hammurabi is said to be one of the earliest and most complete legal codes ever written. A Babylonian king by the name of Hammurabi created the code around 1754 BCE, establishing rules that dictated nearly everything from labor, family law, trade, and theft. The saying, “an eye for an eye,” is one of the famous principles of the Hammurabi code. What was also truly significant was that after the code was inscribed on a stone stele, it was put on display for the public to read.
Sumptuary Laws (Medieval Europe)
The Sumptuary laws were medieval Europe’s way of regulating what people could consume and wear based on their social rank. It was designed to maintain strict social hierarchies and promote moral order, though it led to the restriction of colors, luxurious fabrics, and jewelry to the nobility and limited the lower classes to simpler attire. Sumptuary laws even extended to household items and food, which led to an era where appearance was key in social identity.
The Twelve Tables (Ancient Rome, c. 450 BCE)
The Twelve Tables were the foundation of Roman law around 450 BCE. These laws were drafted by a special commission that described codes on family, crime, property, and legal procedures that ensured fairness and transparency in Roman society. Each law was publicly displayed in the Forum, which made it accessible to everyone, leading to more even balances of power that heavily influenced Western laws.
The Law of the Twelve Apostles (Byzantine Empire)
The Law of the Twelve Apostles is also known as the Dodekaprotoi. It functioned as a Byzantine legal text that compiled Roman and Christian legal traditions during the early medieval period. By combining ecclesiastical decrees with civil law, it guided church authorities and common people alike. Much of the Byzantine legal culture was shaped by the Dodekaprotoi, emphasizing their morality, governance, and religious conformity.
The Salic Law (Franks, Early Middle Ages)
The Salic Law was a legal code used by the early Frankish kingdom and was compiled sometime in the 6th century. It included provisions that excluded women from inheriting land or the throne, and influenced the European succession laws. However, it spanned beyond inheritance, covering fines for offenses, property rights, and social status that served as a cornerstone of early Frankish society.
The Code of Ur-Nammu (Sumer, c. 2100 BCE)
The Code of Ur-Nammu predates Hammurabi and is said to be one of the oldest known legal codes ever discovered. The code was established in ancient Sumer around 2100 BCE, setting out laws on marriage, murder, and theft, where fines were prescribed instead of corporal punishment. It is believed that the Code of Ur-Nammu was an early attempt at creating a standardized justice system that prioritized order above punishment.
The Qing Dynasty Footbinding Ban (China, 1902)
The Qing Dynasty officially banned the practice of footbinding in 1902, a tradition dating back many centuries in China. Essentially, footbinding deformed the feet of women as immense pressure was put on them to have small feet, though this practice often led to a lifetime of pain and even disability. The ban reflected China’s changing reforms and growing criticism of customs that were harmful to its people.
The Viking Thing Law (Scandinavia, c. 9th century)
The Viking Thing Law consisted of an assembly where free men would gather to create laws, pass judgments, and resolve disputes. These laws originate from the 9th century and emphasized communal decision-making and a deep oral tradition. These assemblies were the precursors of modern parliaments that highlighted the Vikings’ blend of legal order and democratic principles.
The Edict of Milan (Roman Empire, 313 CE)
Emperors Licinius and Constantine made a proclamation that enforced the Edict of Milan, granting religious tolerance throughout the Roman Empire. In fact, this law ended centuries of aimless Christian persecution and allowed each citizen the freedom to worship any religion they saw fit. The Edict of Milan shaped modern Western religious history and made way for tolerance in our lives.
The Zoroastrian Purity Laws (Persia)
Zoroastrianism was the dominant religion of ancient Persia, which had strict laws of purity that covered cleanliness, rituals, and the handling of their sacred fire. The Zoroastrian Purity Laws aimed to maintain purity both physically and spiritually, which influenced the daily life of all Persians. Many believe these laws saw the intertwining of governance and religion in one of the world’s oldest monotheistic traditions.
The Lex Canuleia (Rome, 445 BCE)
The Lex Canuleia was a turning point in the marriage laws of the Roman Empire, as the law repealed the ban on intermarriage between plebeians and patricians. It was passed in 445 BCE, and helped to decrease social tensions as marriage was now legal across class lines. Not only did this promote a healthier integration in Roman society, but it marked the step towards a more democratic class structure.
The Inca Royal Decree on Labor (15th century Peru)
The Inca Empire devised a labor system they dubbed mit’a, which required communities to provide labor to the state for agriculture, infrastructure, and military services. It was a royal decree that essentially made public service mandatory, ensuring the Incas had social cohesion and economic stability. It is believed that the system was an early form of taxation, but was seen more as a civic duty of each Incan citizen.
The Ottoman Capitulations (16th century)
The Ottoman Capitulations were various treaties that once granted European powers legal exemptions and commercial privileges in the Ottoman Empire. These laws began sometime in the 16th century, and while these laws did foster trade, it also eroded the sovereignty of the Ottoman nation over time. This is a good example of how economic interests and international diplomacy reshaped imperial decline.
The Jewish Mosaic Law (Ancient Israel)
The Mosaic Law was revealed to Moses as stated in the Tanakh and comprised hundreds of commandments that dictated moral, social, and religious behavior. Many see the Mosaic Laws as a central part of ancient Israelite identity, as they discussed how they should live their lives. Though partly forgotten by most outside of the Judaic faith, it is said that the Mosaic Laws have influenced Western legal and ethical systems alike.
The Aztec Blood Sacrifice Law
Aztec society had a law that mandated human sacrifice as an essential religious practice. They performed these rituals to appease their gods, as it was believed these sacrifices would ensure cosmic order. Although victims of this law were often slaves or prisoners of war, sometimes their own people would be sacrificed if an offer had to be given. However, this is only one of the Aztecs’ integral ancient laws, though it was one of their most brutal.
