Remix.run Logo
▲ cloudbonsai a day ago

Full text of the treaty: https://corum.ktb.gov.tr/EN-61494/kadesh-war-and-peace-treat...

It reads more like a military alliance agreement between kings:

1. Reamasesa-Mai-amana (King of Egypt) and Hattusili (King of Hatti) are best friends forever.

2. If a foreign country invaded one of us, the other one must send his troops.

3. Ditto with civil wars. We help each other.

4. If a high-profile person flees from Egypt or Hatti, send the bastard back.

5. If people flee from Hatti to Egypt, order them back. Do not retaliate against returnees, though. No pulling eyes/tongues. No cutting feet/ears. No destroying wives/houses/kids. Please.

▲pedrosbmartins a day ago | parent [-]

Number 4 is particularly interesting. Before Hattusili, the Hittite empire was ruled by his nephew, Mursili III. He was deposed by his uncle and exiled, first to Syria then to Egypt. He posed a great threat to Hattusili's rule, so of course the treaty had to include an extradition clause.