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Code of Ur-Nammu — The Oldest Known Law Code

חוקי אור-נמו

Author: Ur-Nammu, roi d'Ur (c. 2112–2095 av. J.-C.)

Date: c. 2100 av. J.-C.

Preservation: Musée archéologique d'Istanbul, University of Pennsylvania Museum

deposited on April 16, 2026 · History register · custodian, not owner

❧ Description

The Code of Ur-Nammu is humanity's oldest known law code, predating Hammurabi by three centuries. Its prologue, where the king presents himself as guarantor of justice and protector of the weak, strikingly anticipates biblical prophetic rhetoric.

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Code of Ur-Nammu — The Oldest Known Law Code

❧ Description

In history

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