the oldest known legal system is containedin the what?

Answer 1

In popular thought the 18th century BC "Code of Hammurabi" (written in the Old Babylonian dialect of Akkadian, the Semitic language of ancient Mesopotamia) is thought to be the oldest "law code".
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Code_of_Hammurabi

But in fact Hammurabi's was one of several early "cuneiform law codes" and related forms and NOT the first. We know of at least four earlier works under Sumerian kings in Mesopotamia. [Note that the dates are disputed, but the relative order is not.]

2350 BC - the "Reforms" of Urukagina of Lagash (correcting abuses)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Urukagina
http://ragz-international.com/reforms_of_urukagina.htm

2050 BC - Ur-Nammu (Shulgi) of Ur
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ur-Nammu

1900 BC - Lipit-Ishtar of Isin
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lipit-Ishtar

1800 BC - Laws of Eshnunna [the city name]
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eshnunna

There is some debate about how we should understand Urukagina's "reforms". They do not quite lay out a new "system", so some might give the honor to Ur-Nammu's "first known legal 'CODE'"

But there is also another twist in that labels like "law code" may not accurately describe the function of these inscriptions. For instance, in the case of Hammurabi, the so-called "Code" was inscribed on a black stele, NOT as a formal document for judges, et.al. to consult. Rather we discover in the inscription's prologue and epilogue that Hammurabi was bragging to his gods, portraying himself as a good king and "shepherd" of his people, an ideal king of justice. The other "codes" give evidence of a similar structure and purpose.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hammurabi
http://eawc.evansville.edu/anthology/hammurabi.htm

Further, all these sets of laws seem to function more as EXAMPLES, not as a detailed "system.". At time they may be more like the ancient proverb collections -- a set of decisions collected as general examples of how decisions should be made... and how the existing "system" sould work. . (This would also explain the fact that laws within one set may seem to contradict each other.)

Nonetheless, they DO reveal much about the legal 'principles' and how decisions were made in ancient Mesopotamia. (The picture is even fuller when we take into account records of contracts and court decisions.) Beyond that they are valuable in their portrayal of the IDEAL of the king as dispesner of justice, 'shepherd' of his people and defender of the weak (esp.. of the widow and orphan).

see also: "The Development Of Ancient Mesopotamian Law"
http://www.gmalivuk.com/otherstuff/fall02/danking.htm

Answer 2

I always thought it was the Magna Carta, but I'm sure there's something older, like Hammurabi's Code or something.

Answer 3

Code of Hamurabi

Answer 4

the stella of hammurabi

Answer 5

the law of hammurabi. it was stone.