* Code of Hammurabi (c. 1750 BCE): This Babylonian code was a comprehensive set of laws carved on a large stone pillar. It was designed to ensure fairness and predictability in legal matters, replacing the arbitrary and inconsistent rulings of the past.
* Twelve Tables (c. 450 BCE): This Roman legal code, inscribed on twelve bronze tablets, served as a foundation for Roman law. It simplified and formalized existing customs and traditions, making the law more transparent and accessible to the citizens.
* Justinian's Code (c. 533 CE): This complex body of Roman law, compiled under Emperor Justinian, consolidated and reorganized the existing legal system. It clarified and systematized laws, making them more consistent and manageable.
All three examples represent attempts to create a written and organized legal framework, replacing the previous reliance on unwritten customs and potentially arbitrary rulings. This move toward codification provided greater transparency, stability, and predictability in their respective societies.