Egyptian-Hittite Peace Treaty - Analysis | Milestone Documents - Milestone Documents

Egyptian-Hittite Peace Treaty

( 1259 BCE ) Commentary by Peter J. Brand, University of Memphis
  • “As far as the relations of the Great King, King of Egypt, [and] the Great King, King of Hatti, are concerned, from the beginning of time and forever [by means of a treaty] the god has not allowed the making of war between them. Ramses II … is doing this in order to bring about the relationship which [the Sun-god] and the Storm-god established for Egypt with Hatti in accordance with their relationship from the beginning of time, so that for eternity he might [not permit] the making of war between [them].” - Hittite Version
  • “He is [my] brother, and I am his brother. , and I am at peace with him [forever. And] we will create our brotherhood and our [peace], and they will be better than the former brotherhood and peace of [Egypt with] Hatti.” - Hittite Version
  • “Ramses II … for all time shall not open hostilities against Hatti in order to take anything from it. And Hattusili III … for all time shall not open hostilities against Egypt in order to take [anything] from it.” - Hittite Version
  • “And if someone else, an enemy, comes against Hatti, and Hattusili III … sends to me: &ldsquo;Come to me, to my aid against him,' then [Ramses, Beloved] … must send his infantry and his chariotry, and they will defeat [his enemy and] take revenge for Hatti.” - Hittite Version
  • “The treaty which the Great Chief of Hatti, Hattusilis III … made on a silver tablet for Usermaatre-Setepenre, the Great Ruler of Egypt …: A perfect treaty of peace and brotherhood which establishes [perfect] peace [and perfect brotherhood between] us for eternity.” - Egyptian Version
  • “Or if one or two men, who are unknown, flee [from the land of Egypt] and come to the land of Hatti to become subjects of someone else, then they should not be allowed to stay in the land of Hatti. They should be returned to Ramses II, the Great Ruler of Egypt.” - Egyptian Version
  • “As for these terms of the treaty which the Great Chief of Hatti has made with Ramses II, the Great Ruler [of Egypt which are inscribed] upon the silver tablet: As for these terms, 1000 Gods and Goddesses of the land of Hatti and 1000 Gods and Goddesses of the land of Egypt are here with me as witnesses who have heard these terms.” - Egyptian Version
  • “If a man flees from the land of Egypt, or two or three, and they come to the Great Chief of Hatti, then the Great Chief of Hatti shall seize them and he shall return them to Usermaatre-Setepenre, the Great Ruler of Egypt.” - Egyptian Version
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Bas-relief of Ramses II (Library of Congress)

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