Middle Ages Regents Practice Exam 2026 - Free Regents Practice Questions and Study Guide

The Code of Hammurabi, the Twelve Tables, and the Justinian Code are best categorized as written laws because they each serve as formalized collections of legal principles and regulations established by governing authorities in their respective societies.

The Code of Hammurabi, created in ancient Babylon around 1754 BCE, is one of the earliest and most complete written legal codes and aimed to provide justice and order by outlining specific rules and punishments. The Twelve Tables, established in ancient Rome around 450 BCE, represented the first attempt to create a public and accessible legal framework for Rome's citizens, detailing various legal rights and duties. Similarly, the Justinian Code, compiled during the Byzantine Empire in the 6th century CE, reformed and organized existing Roman law, making it more systematic and accessible.

These codes played a crucial role in the administration of justice and governance, influencing later legal systems and emphasizing the importance of established laws in society, which is why they are classified as written laws.

Options that suggest these documents are religious edicts, epic poems, or democratic constitutions do not accurately reflect their primary purpose or content, which is focused specifically on codifying laws and maintaining societal order.