In the Mesopotamia region of Babylonia tribal customs were converted into social laws thousands of years ago. Laws also existed in ancient Greece. Our knowledge of ancient Greek laws come from various Homeric writings. As well, the Roman law was the legal system not only in ancient Rome, but was applied throughout Europe until the eighteenth century. Many European modern laws are still influenced by Roman law. English and North American common and civil laws also owe some debt to Roman ancient law.