The oldest code of law in human history was given by:

Question

Accepted Answer

The correct option is 3:
The oldest well-preserved and systematically codified set of laws in human history is the Code of Hammurabi. Hammurabi was the sixth king of the First Babylonian Dynasty, ruling in Mesopotamia (modern-day Iraq) from approximately 1792–1750 BCE. This code, inscribed on a large basalt stone stele, contains 282 laws concerning issues ranging from property rights and commerce to marriage and criminal justice. Although earlier, less comprehensive law fragments exist (like the Code of Ur-Nammu), Hammurabi's Code is historically renowned for its comprehensive nature and its influence on legal systems, establishing the principle of "an eye for an eye," known as *lex talionis*. Its preservation allows historians to gain deep insight into the social, economic, and legal structure of ancient Babylonian society.

The incorrect option is 1: Herodotus was a Greek historian (c. 484–425 BCE) often referred to as the "Father of History." His work focused on documenting historical events, particularly the Greco-Persian Wars, and he did not formulate a code of law.

The incorrect option is 2: Hannibal Barca was a Carthaginian general (c. 247–183 BCE), famous for his military leadership against Rome during the Second Punic War. He was a military figure, not a king or ruler known for establishing a significant legal code.

The incorrect option is 4: Charlemagne (c. 747–814 CE) was the founder of the Carolingian Empire in Western Europe, ruling centuries after Hammurabi. While he issued laws known as *capitularies*, these laws post-date Hammurabi's Code by roughly 2,500 years and are not considered the oldest code of law.