Short answers, pulled from the story.
Roman authorities imposed heavy fines in 50 BC during the time of Julius Caesar. This legislation aimed to protect the grain trade and prevent traders from insidiously blocking goods.
Emperor Diocletian declared that anyone violating a tariff system by concealing or contriving scarcity of everyday goods would face the death penalty. An edict issued under his rule made this punishment mandatory for such violations.
The Sherman Antitrust Act passed in 1890 declares every contract in restraint of trade or commerce among states illegal under Section 1. Section 2 prohibits monopolies or attempts to monopolize business and markets.
Sweden and Norway adopted similar laws in 1925 and 1926 respectively following Germany's enactment of its first anti-cartel law in 1923. These nations joined other European countries in establishing legal frameworks against cartels after World War II.
China's Anti Monopoly Law took effect in 2008 and generated 11 billion RMB of penalties between 2008 and 2018. This legislation represents one of many national competition laws enacted globally by 2008.