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Explore the emergence and evolution of written laws in ancient societies through this 42-minute lecture that examines key historical examples from Hammurabi's code to Solon's reforms. Delve into the distinction between writing down and writing up laws, analyze the relationship between the development of writing and legal systems, and understand how written laws served as both monuments of power and tools for democratic governance. Learn about the earliest Greek written laws found in Dreros, Crete, and examine how the Athenian lawgiver Solon's commitment to written legislation shaped legal philosophy. Investigate the challenges and implications of codifying laws, including issues of uniformity, inflexibility, and their role in regulating power structures. Recorded at Barnard's Inn Hall in London by Professor Melissa Lane, Princeton University's Class of 1943 Professor of Politics and Gresham Professor of Rhetoric, this lecture connects ancient legal developments to contemporary debates in legal philosophy.
