Suzerainty - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Suzerainty - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia: Suzerainty (/ˈsjuːzərənti/ or /ˈsjuːzərɛnti/) occurs where a region or people is a tributary to a more powerful entity which controls its foreign affairs while allowing the tributary vassal state internal autonomy.[1] The dominant entity in the suzerainty relationship, or the more powerful entity itself, is called a suzerain. The term suzerainty was originally used to describe the relationship between the Ottoman Empire and its surrounding regions. It differs from sovereignty in that the tributary enjoys some (often limited) self-rule.



A suzerain can also refer to a feudal lord, to whom vassals must pay tribute. Although it is a concept which has existed in a number of historical empires, it is a concept that is very difficult to describe using 20th- or 21st-century theories of international law, in which sovereignty either exists or does not. While a sovereign nation can agree by treaty to become a protectorate of a stronger power, modern international law does not recognize any way of making this relationship compulsory on the weaker power.



Suzerainty treaties and similar covenants and agreements between near-eastern nations were quite prevalent during the pre-monarchic and monarchy periods in Ancient Palestine. The Hittites, Egyptians and Assyrians had been suzerains to the Israelites and other nation states of the Levant from 1200-600 BCE. The structure of Jewish covenant law was similar to the Hittite form of suzerain.^[7]

Each treaty would typically begin with an "Identification" of the Suzerain, followed by an historical prologue which catalogues the relationship between the two groups, "with emphasis on the benevolent actions of the suzerain towards the vassal."^[8] Following the historical prologue came the stipulation. This includes tributes, obligations and other forms of subordination that will be imposed on the Israelites.^[7] According to the Hittite form, after the stipulations were offered to the vassal, it was necessary to include a request to have copies of the treaty that would be read throughout the kingdom periodically.^[7] The treaty would have divine and earthly witnesses purporting the treaty's validity, trustworthiness and efficacy. This also tied into the blessings that would come from following the treaty and the curses from breaching it. For disobedience, curses would be given to those who had not remained steadfast in carrying out the stipulations of the treaty.^[9][10]

Hittite suzerainty treaty form

Below is a form of a Hittite Suzerainty Treaty.^[11]

• Preamble: Identifies the parties involved in the treaty
• Prologue: Lists the deeds already performed by the Suzerain on behalf of the vassal
• Stipulations: Terms to be upheld by the vassal for the life of the treaty
• Provision for annual public reading: A copy of the treaty was to be read aloud annually in the vassal state for the purpose of renewal
• Divine witness to the treaty: These usually include the deities of both the Suzerain and the vassal
• Blessings if the stipulations of the treaty are upheld and curses if the stipulations are not upheld
• Sacrificial Meal: Both parties would share a meal to show their participation in the treaty