The origin of laws and their purpose in society

Laws have been a fundamental pillar in the organization and development of civilization. From the first human settlements to contemporary societies, laws have provided the norms that allow peaceful coexistence, regulate behavior and establish the limits of individual freedoms. Knowing the origin of laws, as well as their initial purpose, helps us understand why they are necessary and how they have evolved to become the complex legal system we know today.

The Emergence of Laws: The First Codes.

The first laws emerged with the development of the first organized civilizations. When human beings changed from being nomadic societies to sedentary and agricultural communities, their need for organization increased and the first conflicts arose, which made evident the need to establish standards of conduct.

Ur-Nammu Code.
The Code of Ur-Nammu, written by the king of the city of Ur in ancient Mesopotamia (ca. 2100 BC), is considered the first legal code recorded in history. Although the full text has not survived, surviving laws indicate that it included punishments for crimes such as murder, theft, and kidnapping, as well as rules on marriage and inheritance. This code focused on restorative justice—that is, compensating victims rather than punishing the offender.

Code of Hammurabi.
The Code of Hammurabi, king of Babylon, is one of the best-known legal systems of antiquity, dating from around 1754 BC. This code sets out detailed and specific laws for a variety of situations, including family relationships, business contracts, and workers' rights. The famous maxim of "an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth" was a principle that governed Hammurabi's laws, applying the concept of reciprocity and proportionality in sanctions.

Laws in Ancient Egypt.
In Ancient Egypt, laws were also part of everyday life and sought to maintain “maat” or balance, a central idea in their worldview. Laws were issued by the pharaoh, who was considered the highest judge. Although there was no written code of laws as in Mesopotamia, rules were passed down from generation to generation and followed by local judges in each province.

Hebrew Law: The Ten Commandments.
The Hebrew people developed a set of laws known as the Mosaic Law, which included the Ten Commandments. This law was both a moral code and a set of religious and legal precepts. It focused on rules of conduct that prohibited acts such as theft, murder, and adultery, regulating the lives of individuals and their relationship with God and the community.

The Purpose of the First Laws.

The main purpose of early laws was to maintain order and stability in growing societies. In ancient civilizations, the purpose of laws was not only the regulation of individual behavior, but also the protection of community life. In other words, laws served to protect the rights and obligations of each individual and to ensure harmonious coexistence.

Maintenance of Order.
Laws provided a mechanism for resolving conflicts without resorting to violence or personal revenge. In societies where resources and stability were limited, maintaining order was essential to ensure the survival and well-being of all members of the community.

Protection of Property and Rights.
Laws also emerged as a tool to protect property and individual rights. From the earliest codes, laws established clear rules about property and trade, protecting both merchants and workers. By regulating transactions and property rights, a stable economy was fostered that allowed civilization to develop.

Reaffirmation of Authority.
Laws reinforced the authority of the ruler and centralized power. Through legal codes, the leaders of each civilization established direct control over the behavior of citizens and reaffirmed their legitimacy as leaders. The creation and enforcement of laws also symbolized the power of the state and the ability of society to govern itself.

Creating a Common Identity.
Some laws were based on shared values and moral principles, which contributed to the formation of a cultural and social identity. These common norms united the community and facilitated the integration of new members, especially in those civilizations that grew rapidly through territorial expansion and migration.

The Evolution of Laws: From Antiquity to the Middle Ages.

Laws continued to evolve and adapt as societies grew and became more complex. In Ancient Greece, for example, the first ideas about the right to political participation and democracy emerged, especially in the city of Athens, where citizens had the right to vote and participate in the law-making process.

Roman Law.
The Roman Empire was instrumental in the development of law as we know it today. The Law of the Twelve Tables, enacted in 450 BC, was the first attempt to create a set of laws for all Roman citizens, regardless of social class. Later, the Corpus Juris Civilis or Justinian Code (528-534 AD) would compile and refine Roman laws, and serve as the basis for the development of civil law in Europe.

Canon Law in the Middle Ages.
In the Middle Ages, the Catholic Church also had a significant influence on Western law. Over time, Canon Law developed, a legal system based on the principles of the Bible and the teachings of the Church. This set of rules regulated the moral, social and political life of the time, and came to have considerable authority in Europe.

Modernity and the Codification of Laws.

In the early modern period, philosophers and jurists began to question the nature and purpose of laws, which laid the foundations for modern law. Figures such as John Locke and Montesquieu developed theories about the social contract, the division of powers and the importance of individual rights.

The Social Contract.
Philosophers such as Thomas Hobbes, John Locke and Jean-Jacques Rousseau proposed the idea of a “social contract,” an implicit agreement between the state and its citizens in which individuals give up part of their freedom in exchange for protection and order. This theory became the basis of modern democracies and contemporary legal systems.

The Declaration of Human Rights.
In the 18th century, with the French Revolution and the Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen, fundamental principles were established that defended individual rights and limited the power of governments. This declaration was a milestone in the history of law, as it officially recognized human rights as essential to justice and dignity.

The Codification of Modern Law.
During the 19th century, codification of laws took place in several countries, especially in Europe. One of the most influential examples was the Napoleonic Civil Code, which reorganized and simplified the legal system in France and served as a model for other countries in America and Europe.

The Purpose of Laws in Modern Society.

Today, laws serve multiple purposes ranging from protecting individual rights to regulating the economy and preserving public order. Although the context and nature of laws have changed over time, their purpose remains the same: to ensure justice and promote harmonious coexistence.

From their first manifestations in ancient civilizations to the complex legal systems of today, laws have been essential to the organization and progress of society. Their evolution shows how humanity has adapted the rules of coexistence to its needs and challenges. Ultimately, laws reflect the values and aspirations of each society, functioning as tools to preserve order, protect rights and promote collective well-being.