Hammurabi was the greatest king of the First Babylonian Dynasty, reigning from 1792 BC to 1750 BC. He extended Babylon’s control throughout Mesopotamia through military campaigns. From all the remarkable achievements of Hammurabi, none is more important than the Code of Law.
Though many cultures co-existed in Mesopotamia, Babylonian culture gained a degree of prominence among the literate classes throughout the Middle East under Hammurabi.
Hammurabi used his power to undertake a series of public works, including heightening the city walls for defensive purposes, and expanding the temples.
Vast numbers of contract tablets, dated to the reigns of Hammurabi and his successors, have been discovered, as well as 55 of his own letters. Hammurabi died in around 1750 BC. His son Samsu-iluna succeeded him.