Tracing the Earliest Recorded Concepts of International Law. (5) The Near East 1200–330 BCE.

The article presents an examination into the earliest historical instances of international law, focusing on the events and developments of the Ancient Near East between 1200 and 330 B.C.E. An introductory section is provided describing the geopolitical history of the region during the era, citing the dynamics between major powers such as the kingdom of Assyria with smaller individual principalities. An extensive overview is then provided regarding Assyrian inscriptions and Biblical citations concerning Ancient Near Eastern international law discussing subjects such as the declaration of war and diplomacy, religious law, and human rights.