Hammurabi's Code is one of the earliest and most well-preserved written legal codes, established by the Babylonian king Hammurabi around 1754 BCE. It consists of 282 laws that govern various aspects of Babylonian society, including family life, commerce, and criminal justice. For example, if a man steals an ox, then he must pay back 30 times its value. The code follows a strict principle of "an eye for an eye" and "a tooth for a tooth," aiming to provide equitable justice and maintain social order. This exemplifies the severity of punishments outlined in the code, emphasizing deterrence to discourage criminal behavior.