The history of slavery spans many cultures, nationalities, and religions from ancient times to the present day. Slavery was already institutionalized by the time the first civilizations emerged (such as Sumer in Mesopotamia, which dates back as far as 3500 BC). Slavery features in the Mesopotamian Code of Hammurabi (c. 1750 BC), which refers to it as an established institution . Slavery was widespread in the ancient world in Europe , Asia, Middle East, and Africa.

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