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Conclusion and Publication of International Treaties in Antiquity

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  04 July 2014

Karl-Heinz Ziegler
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Extract

1. The Vienna Convention on the Law of Treaties of 1969 has defined in its art. 2 the international treaty as an international agreement between states concluded in written form. Only in art. 3 the said Convention makes clear that other international agreements might be valid, too. The United Nations Charter art. 102 ensures that international treaties concluded by the member states are registered and published by the Secretariat of the United Nations. These rules and the practice of our actual Law of Nations are the results of a complicated development which has its origins in antiquity. From the early beginnings in the third millenium B.C. until the 16th century A.D. we can observe that international treaties, in spite of their being reported, registered and passed on in written form, are concluded not through written instruments, but through declarations of the treaty-making parties, solemnly confirmed by mutual oaths. We shall not delve into the history of medieval and modern international law but limit our observations to the legal history of preclassical and classical antiquity, which Reuven Yaron has enriched by so many important contributions.

Type
Roman Law
Information
Israel Law Review , Volume 29 , Issue 1-2 , Winter-Spring 1995 , pp. 233 - 249
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press and The Faculty of Law, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem 1995

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References

1 For the middle ages and early modern times cf. Nussbaum, A., “Form and Observance of Treaties in the Middle Ages and in the Early Sixteenth Century”, in Law and Politics in the World Community (symposium in honor of Kelsen, Hans, University of California, 1953) 191ff.Google Scholar

2 Sollberger, E., “The So-Called Treaty between Ebla and ‘Ashur’”, in Studi Eblaiti III, 9–10 (1980) 129ff.Google Scholar, cf. also Kienast, B., “Der Vertrag Ebla-Assur in rechtshistorischer Sicht”, in Wirtschaft und Gesellschaft von Ebla (Hrsg. Waetzoldt, H. - Hauptmann, H., 1988) 231ff.Google Scholar, and the remarks of Yaron, R., “Enquire now about Hammurabi, Ruler of Babylon”, in (1991) 59 Tijdschrift voor Rechtsgeschiedenis 223ff. (224).CrossRefGoogle Scholar

3 Hinz, W., “Elams Vertrag mit Naram-Sin von Akkade”, in (1967) 24 Zeitschrift für Assyriologie NF 66ff. (91ff.)Google Scholar

4 Cf. B. Kienast, supra n. 2, at 235.

5 ibid., at 239.

6 For this period cf. Preiser, W., “Zum Völkerrecht der vorklassischen Antike”, in Archiv des Völkerrechts (1953/1954) 4 257ff.Google Scholar (= Preiser, W., Macht und Norm in der Völkerrechtsgeschichte, (1978) 127ff.)Google Scholar, and “History of the Law of Nations: Ancient Times to 1648”, in EPIL (= Encyclopedia of Public International Law, ed. R. Bernhardt) Instalment 7 (1984) 133f.

7 Translations of the Akkadian version by Goetze, A. in ANET (= Ancient Near Eastern Texts Relating to the Old Testament, ed. Pritchard, J. A., (3rd ed., 1969) 201ff.Google Scholar, of the Egyptian version by J.A. Wilson, ibid., at 199ff.; recent German translations by E. Edel in TUAT (= Texte aus der Umwelt des Alten Testaments, ed. 0. Kaiser) Vol. I fase. 2: Staatsverträge (1983) 135ff.

8 Otten, H., Die Bronzetafel aus Bogazköy. Ein Staatsvertrag Tuthalijas IV. (= Studien zu den Bogazköy-Texten, Beiheft 1, 1988).Google Scholar

9 Cf. the corresponding invocations in the treaty between Ramses II and Hattusili III, ANET, supra n. 7, 199ff., 201, or in the treaty between Mursili II and Duppi-Tessub of Amurru, ANET 203ff., 205.

10 Cf. Korosec, V., Hethitische Staatsverträge. Ein Beitrag zu ihrer juristischen Wertung (1931, reprint 1970) 15ff.Google Scholar, a pioneer work of juristic analysis.

11 Cf. Weidner, E. F., Politische Dokumente aus Kleinasien. Die Staatsverträge in akkadischer Sprache aus dem Archiv von Boghazköi (1923, reprint 1970) 80ff.Google Scholar

12 Hethitische Staatsverträge, supra n. 10, at 16: Der “Vertrag entsteht erst durch die Errichtung der Urkunde”.

13 ibid., at 15 with n. 6.

14 ibid., at 21ff.

15 Cf. the translation of “Plague Prayers of Mursilis” by A. Goetze in ANET, supra n. 7, at 394ff.

16 Cf. V. Korosec, Hethitische Staatsverträge, supra n. 10 at 100f.

17 Cf. W.Preiser, History etc., supra n. 6, at 134.

18 Cf. the translation of E. Reiner in ANET, supra n. 7, at 532f.; Gierman translation by R. Borger in TUAT, supra n. 7, at I 2, 155ff.

19 Cf. the translation of F. Rosenthal in ANET, supra n. 7, at 659ff.; German translation by O. Rössler in TUAT, supra n. 7, at 178ff.

20 Cf the translation of E. Reiner in ANET, loc. cit., at 534ff.; German translation by R. Borger in TUAT, loc. cit., at 160ff.

21 Cf. the remarks of B. Kienast, Der Vertrag Ebla-Assur etc., supra n. 2, at 241 nr. 7.

22 Cf. n. 19.

23 Cf. Bikerman, E., “Couper une alliance”, (1950/1951) 5 Archives d'histoire du droit oriental 133ff.Google Scholar; Weinfeld, M., “Covenant Terminology in the Ancient Near East and its Influence to the West”, in (1973) 93 Journal of the American Oriental Society 190ff.CrossRefGoogle Scholar Due to the library situation in Hamburg I was not able to consult: Canfora, L. - Liverani, M. - Zaccagnini, C. (eds.), I trattati nel mondo antico (1990).Google Scholar

24 Karavites, P., Promise-Giving and Treaty-Making. Homer and the Near East (1992).Google Scholar

25 ibid., at 45ff.

26 Cf. W. Preiser, History etc., supra n. 6, at 134ff.

27 Heuss, A., Abschluβ und Beurkundung des griechischen und römischen Staatsvertrages (1967, reprint from Klio 27, 1934, 14ff., 218ff.).Google Scholar

28 Cf. Bengtson, H. (ed.), Die Staatsverträge des Altertums, II: Die Verträge der griechischrömischen Welt von 700 bis 338 v.Chr. (2nd ed., 1975) nr. 110Google Scholar; English translation in Meiggs, R. and Lewis, D., A Selection of Greek Historical Inscriptions to the End of the Fifth Century B.C. (1969) nr. 17 (dating the treaty about 500 B.C.).Google Scholar

29 Cf. Staatsverträge II, supra n. 28, at nr. 111.

30 Cf. ibid.., at nr. 120; English translation in Meiggs and Lewis, A Selection etc., supra n. 28, at nr. 10 (with the date “(?) 550–525 B.C.”).

31 Cf. Staatsverträge II, supra n. 28, at nr. 187.

32 Cf. ibid., at nr. 263.

33 Cf. ibid., at nr. 297. The inscription was engraved on a stone cippus.

34 Cf. Schmitt, H. H. (ed.), Die Staatsverträge des Altertums, III: Die Verträge der griechisch-römischen Welt von 338 bis 200 v.Chr. (1969), at nr. 492.Google Scholar

35 For the Romano-Hellenistic period, cf. W. Preiser, History etc., supra n. 6, at 136ff., and especially Ziegler, K. H., “Das Völkerrecht der römischen Republik”, in Aufstieg und Niedergang der römischen Welt (ed. Temporini, H.) vol.I 2 (1972) 68ff.Google Scholar

36 Suet.Vesp.8,5: aerearumque tabularum tria milia, quae simul conflagraverant, restituendo, suscepit undique investigatis exemplaribus: instrumentum imperii pulcherrimum ac vetustissimum, quo continebantur paene ab exordio urbis senatus consulta, plebi scita de societate et foedere ac privilegio cuicumque concessis.

37 Cf. Ziegler, Dos Völkerrecht etc., supra n. 35, at 90ff., and recently the excellent treatment by Watson, A., International Law in Archaic Rome. War and Religion (1993) 31ff.Google Scholar

38 Cf. Schulz, F., Geschichte der römischen Rechtswissenschaft (1961) 18ff.Google Scholar, 39ff., 46f., 104f., 163, and Wieacker, F., Römische Rechtsgeschichte. Quellenkunde, Rechtsbildung, Jurisprudenz und Rechtsliteratur, I: Einleitung. Quellenkunde. Frühzeit und Republik (1988) 213ff.Google Scholar (“Sakralverfassung”), 568ff. (Roman literature on sacral law).

39 Liv. 1,24,6: Pater patratus ad iusiurandum patrandum, id est, sanciendum fit foedus.

40 Liv.1,24,7f.: “Audi” inquit, “luppiter; audi pater pat`rate populi Albani; audi tu, populus Albanus. Ut illa palam prima postrema ex Ulis tabulis cerave recitata sunt sine dolo malo, utique ea hic hodie rectissime intellecta sunt, Ulis legibus populus Romanus prior non deficiet. Si prior defexit publico Consilio dolo malo, tum tu Ule Diespiter populum Romanum sic ferito ut ego huncporcum hic hodie feriam; tantoque magis ferito quanto magis potes pollesque.”- The English translation I owe to A. Watson, International Law etc., supra n. 37, at 31, 33.

41 Cf. the international treaties discussed supra, section 4, with nn. 18, 19 and 20.

42 Cf. Staatsverträge II, supra n. 28, at nr.121.

43 Cf. also Festus, exc.v. lapidem silicem: “Si sciens fallo, tum me Dispiter salva urbe arceque bonis eiciat, ut ego hune lapidem”. “Ifi knowingly deceive, then may Jupiter throw me out of my property, keeping the city and the citadel safe, as I cast this stone”.

44 Latte, K., Römische Religionsgeschichte (1960, 2nd ed., 1967) 122f.Google Scholar

45 Cf. supra with n.40.

46 Cf. Staatsverträge II, supra n. 28, at nr.126.

47 Cf. Yaron, R., “Semitic Elements in Early Rome”, in Daube noster (1974) 343ff., 348ff., 351.Google Scholar

48 Cf. Cicero, Pro Balbo 23/53 (columna ahenea); Livy 2,33,9 (foedus cum Latinis in columna aenea insculptum).

49 The authenticity of the treaty initiated by Judas Maccabaeus and cited in 1 Mace. 8, 23ff. has been much discussed. That it is historical and was a genuine foedus has again been demonstrated in convincing manner by Timpe, D., “Der römische Vertrag mit den Juden von 161 v.Chr.”, in (1974) 4 Chiron 133ff.Google Scholar The textual problems had already been cleared by Täubler, E., Imperium Romanum. Studien zur Entwicklungsgeschichte des römischen Reiches, I: Die Staatsverträge und Vertragsverhältnisse (1913, reprint 1964) 239ff.Google Scholar

50 English translation of 1 Macc. 8, 22–32 in Johnson, A. C., Coleman, P. R.-Norton, Bourne, F. C., Ancient Roman Statutes (1961) nr. 35.Google Scholar

51 Cf. Sherk, R. K., Roman Documents from the Greek East. Senatus Consulta and Epistulae to the Age of Augustus (1969) nr. 16Google Scholar; English translation in Ancient Roman Statutes, supra n. 50, at nr. 52.

52 Cf. Warmington, E. H., Remains of Old Latin, vol. 4 (1940, reprint 1959) 292ff.Google Scholar; English translation also in Ancient Roman Statutes, supra n. 50, at nr. 53.

53 Cf. Dittenberger, W. (ed.), Orientis Graeci inscriptiones selectae, II (1905, reprint 1960) nr. 762Google Scholar; English translation in Ancient Roman Statutes, supra a. 50, at nr. 54.

54 Cic. de off.3,31/111: Nullum enim vinculum ad adstringendam fidem iure turando maiores artius esse voluerunt. Id … indicant foedera, quibusetiamcum hostedevincitur fides…

55 Cf. Sherk, Roman Documents, supra n. 51, at nr. 26; English translation in Ancient Roman Statutes, supra n. 50, at nr. 135.

56 Suetonius, Claudius 25,5: Cum regibus foedus in Foro icit porca coesa ac vetere fetialium praefatione adhibita.

57 For international law in the period of the Roman Empire cf. K.-H. Ziegler, “Das Völkerrecht etc.”, supra n. 35, at 111ff., and “Tradition und Wandel im Völkerrecht der römischen Spätantike” in Idee und Realität des Rechts in der Entwicklung internationaler Beziehungen. Festgabe für Wolfgang Preiser (1983) llff.; cf. also Verosta, S., “International Law in Europe and Western Asia between 100 and 650 A.D.”, in (1964 III) 113 Académie de Droit International, Recueil des Cours 485ff.Google Scholar For the period of transition (beginning about 400 A.D.) cf. also W. Preiser, History etc., supra n. 6, at 139ff. For the 4th and 5th centuries A.D. cf. recently also Schulz, R., Die Entwicklung des römischen Völkerrechts im vierten und fünften Jahrhundert n. Chr. (1993).Google Scholar

58 Gai.Inst.3,94: Unde dicitur uno casu hoc verbo (seil, spondeo) peregrinum quoque obiigari posse, veluti si imperator noster principem alicuius peregrini populi de pace ita interroget: PACEM FUTURAM SPONDES? vel ipse eodem modo interrogetur. quod nimium subtiliter dictum est, quia, si quid adversus pactionem fiat, non ex stipulatu agitur, sed iure belli res vindicatur.- English translation by de Zulueta, F., The Institutes of Gaius (1946, reprint 1958).Google Scholar

59 Amm.Marc.27,5,9: rede noscentibus piacuit navibus remigio directis in medium flumen, quae vehebant cum armigeris principem, gentisque iudicem inde cum suis, foederari, ut statutum est, pacem.- For the legal signification of the rulers' meeting on the frontier line cf. Ziegler, K. H., Die Beziehungen zwischen Rom und dem Partherreich (1964) 54f. with note 66.Google Scholar

60 Amm.Marc. 25,7,14: Foederata itaque pace annorum triginta, eaque iuris iurandi religionibus consecrata, etc. For the other sources cf. Barceló, P. A., Roms auswärtige Beziehungen unter der Constantinischen Dynastie (306–363), 1981, 143ff. (nr.24).Google Scholar

61 Cf. the examples in Ziegler, K. H., “Kriegsverträge im antiken römischen Recht”, in Zeitschrift der Savigny-Stiftung für Rechtsgeschichte, Romanist.Abt. 102 (1985) 40ff., 73ff., 79ff.Google Scholar

62 The Greek text of the fragment (Excerpta de legationibus, ed. C. de Boor, vol. I, 1903, 170ff.) can now be easily used with an English translation in the new edition of Blockley, R. C., The History of Menander the Guardsman (1985) 70ff.Google Scholar For the difficult interpretation of the articles 7 and 11 of the treaty cf. my suggestions in Index. Quaderni camerti di studi romanistici 3 (1972) 427ff. (Die Chimäre des internationalen Schiedsgerichts im römisch-persischen Friedensvertrag vom Jahre 562 n.Chr.).