Hammurabi is best known for his Code of Hammurabi, a comprehensive set of 282 laws inscribed on a stele that served as one of the earliest and most influential legal codes in history. This code emphasized physical punishment for crimes and introduced the presumption of innocence, specifying penalties for various offenses and limiting retribution by victims. It was publicly displayed so that all could see the laws, although literacy was limited at the time. The code influenced later legal systems, including the Mosaic Law in the Bible

. Beyond his legal legacy, Hammurabi was the sixth king of the Amorite First Dynasty of Babylon (reigning circa 1792–1750 BCE) and is credited with uniting much of Mesopotamia under Babylonian rule through military campaigns, alliances, and political strategy. He was also known as a builder and administrator who improved infrastructure by constructing canals, aqueducts, and temples, earning the title "builder of the land"

. Hammurabi was regarded as a god in his lifetime and revered posthumously as a model ruler who brought justice, peace, and civilization to the region. His legacy as a lawgiver remains significant, with his image and laws commemorated in various legal institutions worldwide