Innovation No. 74 of 77 in the book
The Peace Treaty
Egypt and the Hittites signed a formal treaty
- When
- c. 1259 BCE
- Dynasty
- 19th Dynasty
- Era
- New Kingdom
The oldest surviving peace treaty in the world was signed between Egypt and the Hittite Empire in 1259 BCE, after the two fought to a bloody draw at Kadesh.
Both sides swore to stop fighting, to defend each other, and to return refugees. Each kept a copy — Egypt’s carved on a temple wall, the Hittites’ on a clay tablet — and the two texts match.
It is so foundational that a replica hangs at the United Nations in New York today.
International diplomacy’s founding document was written, in part, in Egypt.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the earliest archaeological evidence for the peace treaty in ancient Egypt?
The earliest confirmed evidence dates to approximately 1259 BCE during Egypt's New Kingdom (19th Dynasty). The oldest surviving peace treaty in the world was signed between Egypt and the Hittite Empire in 1259 BCE, after the two fought to a bloody draw at Kadesh.
How did ancient Egyptians develop the peace treaty, and what is its legacy?
Both sides swore to stop fighting, to defend each other, and to return refugees. Each kept a copy — Egypt’s carved on a temple wall, the Hittites’ on a clay tablet — and the two texts match. Both sides swore to stop fighting, to defend each other, and to return refugees. Each kept a copy — Egypt’s carved on a temple wall, the Hittites’ on a clay tablet — and the two texts match. International diplomacy’s founding document was written, in part, in Egypt.