The Old Babylonian period, which lasted from around 2000 to 1600 BCE, was a significant era in ancient Mesopotamia. It is known for the rise of the city of Babylon, which became a major cultural and political center. During this time, the famous king Hammurabi established a code of laws that is one of the earliest written legal systems in history. This period is characterized by advancements in various fields, including mathematics, astronomy, and literature. The Old Babylonian civilization produced notable works, such as the Epic of Gilgamesh, and made significant contributions to cuneiform writing, which was used for record-keeping and storytelling.