Code of Hammurabi
The oldest known codified law is the Code of Hammurabi, dating back to about 1754 BC. The preface directly credits the laws to the Code of Hammurabi of Ur. In different parts of the world, law could be established by philosophers or religion. In the modern world, laws are typically created and enforced by governments. These codified laws may coexist with or contradict other forms of social control, such as religious proscriptions, professional rules and ethics, or the cultural mores and customs of a society.