Ancient Near East

One of humanity's earliest unified states, lasting over 3,000 years with remarkable institutional continuity

Hereditary rulership with royal succession, dynastic legitimacy, and ceremonial traditions

Oldest surviving legal code, establishing principles of written law and proportional justice

Ancient Babylonian law code establishing written legal principles and proportional justice

Systematic written compilation of legal rules establishing authoritative statement of law

Specialized religious class performing rituals, mediating divine relations, and maintaining sacred knowledge

Major religious site with priests, rituals, and economic functions serving as center of religious and social life