Major Events in Law Up to Ratification of U.S. Constitution
1780 B.C.
The Code of Hammurabi is the earliest known documented law. Dating back to the time of Babylon, the laws of King Hammurabi are the first written laws. Inscribed in stone, the laws are great expansion upon earlier Sumerian law.
1200 B.C.
The Law of Moses or the Ten Commandments is introduced.
600-200 B.C.
Greek law, the earliest democratic legal system, is introduced. Perhaps the first legal system based on the idea that people make laws, and can change them to fit society's needs. Under this system, laws ruled society instead of people. The writings of Solon and Plato (The Laws) are a good illustration of Greek legal thought.
450-600 A.D.
Roman law was influenced by Greek legal thinking and was the early foundation of European legal systems. The first code of these Roman laws was the Law of the Twelve Tables, inscribed on brass tablets. During centuries of conquest and civil strife, Roman law became unwieldy and confusing. In the mid-sixth century, Justinian I gathered together Roman law in one organized code, the Curpus Juris Civilis (Body of Civil Law ), sometimes referred to as the Justinian Code.
1200 A.D.
The first law school was founded in Bologna, Italy. The school's courses were based on the Justinian Code, and its emphasis on Roman law influenced legal systems across Europe.