History of Law

History of Law

The history of law is very interesting.   No one can really say when law began.   The earliest known written law of which a copy has been found, is Ur-Nammu’s Code of 2050 BC.   The copy of the code is in such bad shape, that we have only been able to decipher five articles.   Archaeological evidence shows that this code was supported by an advanced legal system.   The system included: specialized judges, the giving of testimony under oath, the proper form of judicial decisions, and the ability of the judges to order that damages be paid to the victim by the guilty party.   I find that pretty amazing!   To think that these people were this advanced in 2050 BC!  


The earliest known legal decision was made in 1850 BC.   We know of this case, because of a clay tablet.   According to the tablet, a temple employee was murdered by three men.   The victim’s wife knew of the murder, but she remained silent.   Eventually the three men and the woman were charged of murder.   Nine witnesses testified against the men and the woman, and they asked for the death penalty for all four.   The woman had two witnesses that told the court that she had been abused by her husband, she was not part of the murder, and that she was even worse off   after her husband’s death.   The three men were executed in front of the victim’s   house.   The woman however, was spared.  

There are many other codes and laws of the past, but I will not get into all of them right now.   In 700, fingerprinting was invented by the Chinese, as a means of identifying people.   In 1100, the first law school was started.   In medieval Italy, when a student of law wanted to learn the laws, they would hire a teacher.   One teacher by the name of Irnerius, was very popular.   Students began to seek him from all over Europe.   He taught in Bologna, and because he had so many students, he had to hire other teachers to form the world’s first law school.   By 1150, his law school had over 10,000 students!  

In 1215, the Magna Carta...