First Theme: Historical Development of Commercial

Law
To say that commercial law is a newly established law does not mean
that it is modern in its rules and systems, but rather that it has deep
historical roots.evolving in tandem with transactions and practical
necessities, , like other branches of law, commercial law has passed
through various historical stages .starting from antiquity and progressing
.through the middle ages to he modern era

The first branch: In the ancient era

During ancient times, agriculture was the primary livelihood for most
societies, with commercial activity often viewed as worldly and inferior,
relegated to foreigners or those of lower status. Commercial law, as an
independent entity, was not recognized; instead, some commercial rules
were considered among the many rules practiced by different peoples.
Thus, commercial law was perceived more as a set of international norms
rather than a distinct legal framework. For instance, the Japanese, known
for their advanced civilization, established settlements in regions such as
Iraq, where ancient laws like the Law of Hammurabi emerged.

The second branch: In the Middle Ages.

:
Following the decline of the Roman Empire, commercial activity
contracted, largely confined within local villages and cities due to
widespread chaos and insecurity along trade routes. However, the Crusades
sparked a revival in commercial activity, facilitating trade between the East
and West. Legal documents of the time, akin to modern laws with articles,
included provisions for various commercial contracts such as deposits,
partnerships, and agency agreements. Notably, the Greeks engaged in
maritime trade and developed systems such as arbitrary loans, where
individuals loaned money to ship owners or charterers for equipping ships
or purchasing goods, with profits contingent on successful voyages.

. The third branch: In the modern era.

In the modern era: The modern era witnessed two significant phenomena:
the expansion of trade routes beyond the Mediterranean and the discovery
of the New World (America), leading to the influx of valuable resources
such as minerals into European markets. This influx decreased the value of
European goods, prompting an expansion in banking operations and
government borrowing to finance operations. Consequently, governmental
roles expanded beyond defense and security to encompass commercial
regulation, marking the transition to the current state-centric approach to
law, wherein international trade rules lost their distinctiveness.