Early History and Roots of International Law

S. No.TimelineTreaty Between/ReignTreaty Regarding/Remarks1.2600 BCRulers of Ancient Sumerian Cities of Lagash and Umma (Modern Iraq) Border treaty defining boundary marks, found on a stone block.2.1200 BCEgyptian–Hittite Peace Treaty between Pharaoh Ramesses II of Egypt and King Ḫattušili III of the Hittites Establishment of Peace, Respect for Territorial Integrity, No State Aggression, Defensive Alliance3.800 BCProphet Isaiah of Ancient IsraelHe said that Agreements must be respected, even when made with the enemy. 4.Around same timeHellenistic/Greek CivilizationNumerous treaties linked the city-states together in a network of commercial and political associations5.Around 30 BC to 476 ADRoman EmpireJus civile – Early Law that applied only to Roman citizens.  Jus gentium – Simplified rules to govern the relations between foreigners and citizens. (Instrument – Preator Peregrinus)  Later on, jus gentium became the norm and jus civile took the backseat.  Natural Law was incorporated in the Roman Law to serve as the ultimate justification for jus gentium (rational principles common to all civilized nations). Legal Compilation – Corpus Juris Civilis – It contained the classical rules of Roman Law. 6.1000 ADEarly Islamic World Dar al-Islam – It is term used by Islamic Scholars that literally means house of Islam. It connotes all the countries that were under Muslim Sovereignty. Abu Hanifa is generally considered as the founder of this concept. In order to be a part of Dar al-Islam, certain requirements were laid down.  Aman – The law dealing with hospitality and safety of diplomats and foreigners.