Omar Bennett
The history of diplomacy is a long and complex one, with the practice evolving over centuries. The term diplomacy itself is derived from the ancient Greek diploun, which means to fold, and modern diplomatic practices are widely considered to have originated from the post-Renaissance European state system. However, the concept of diplomacy has existed in various forms since ancient times, with the first diplomats believed to be angels or messengers from God, according to medieval Europe. Sparse evidence suggests that diplomacy in ancient civilisations, such as the Egyptians and Mayans, involved the exchange of envoys, with the earliest known diplomatic records being the Amarna letters from the 14th century BC. The evolution of diplomacy continued with the establishment of the first full diplomatic system in the Italian city-states during the Renaissance, and by the 20th century, diplomatic practices pioneered in Europe had spread worldwide.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| When the term 'diplomacy' was coined | 18th century |
| Origin of the term | French term 'diplomate' ("diplomat" or "diplomatist"), based on the ancient Greek diplōma, which means "an object folded in two" |
| Earliest known diplomatic records | The Amarna letters written between the pharaohs of the eighteenth dynasty of Egypt and the Amurru rulers of Canaan during the 14th century BC |
| First diplomatic language | Akkadian (Babylonian) |
| First records of Chinese and Indian diplomacy | 1st millennium BCE |
| Greatest knowledge of early diplomacy | The Middle East, the Mediterranean, China, and India |
| When modern diplomatic practices emerged | Post-Renaissance European state system |
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What You'll Learn
- The term 'diplomacy' is derived from the 18th-century French term 'diplomate'
- The earliest known diplomatic records are the Amarna letters, written in the 14th century BC
- Ancient Greek city-states dispatched envoys to negotiate issues like war and peace
- The first full diplomatic system was established between Italian city-states in the Renaissance
- Modern diplomatic practices are a product of the post-Renaissance European state system
The term 'diplomacy' is derived from the 18th-century French term 'diplomate'
The term diplomacy is derived from the ancient Greek "δίπλωμα" (romanized "diploma"), which means "an object folded in two". In ancient times, sovereigns would provide a folded document to confer some official privilege, as the folding of a document served to protect the privacy of its content before the invention of the envelope. The term later became associated with all official documents, especially those containing agreements between governments, and thus became identified with international relations.
The term "diplomacy" itself emerged in the 18th century, derived from the French term "diplomate" ("diplomat" or "diplomatist"), which referred to a person authorized to negotiate on behalf of a state. The French term is also based on the ancient Greek "διπλωμάτης" (diplōmátēs), or the "holder of a diploma", referring to the documents of accreditation carried by diplomats.
The evolution of the term "diplomacy" reflects the changing nature of diplomatic practices and principles over time. Modern diplomatic methods largely originated from 17th-century European customs. with the earliest realists in international relations theory dating back to the 6th-century BC military strategist Sun Tzu. The spread of European power in the 18th and 19th centuries led to the adoption of European diplomatic systems in Asia. The French Revolution in the late 18th century disrupted the diplomatic landscape, with commoners taking over diplomatic roles and Napoleon's refusal to acknowledge diplomatic immunity.
The early 20th century marked the professionalization of diplomacy, with the 1961 Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations providing a framework for diplomatic procedures that was ratified by most sovereign states. Today, diplomacy is conducted by accredited officials, such as envoys and ambassadors, through dedicated foreign affairs offices. Despite the evolution of diplomatic practices, the core function of diplomacy remains the peaceful adjustment of differences between states and the pursuit of their broader goals and strategies in the international system.
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The earliest known diplomatic records are the Amarna letters, written in the 14th century BC
The letters are written in Akkadian, the regional language of diplomacy for this period, which was the language of ancient Mesopotamia. However, the Akkadian of the letters is influenced by the mother tongue of their writers, who probably spoke an early form of Proto-Canaanite, which later evolved into Hebrew and Phoenician. This provides valuable insights into the early stages of these languages. The Amarna letters are also significant for biblical studies, as they contain the first mention of a Near Eastern group known as the Habiru, who may be connected to the Hebrews due to the similarity of the words and their geographic location.
The Amarna letters include correspondence from various rulers, such as the Babylonian king Kadashman-Enlil I, Tushratta of Mitanni, Lib'ayu of Shechem, Abdi-Heba of Jerusalem, and Rib-Hadda of Byblos. Rib-Hadda, in particular, wrote over 58 letters continuously pleading for Egyptian military help against Hittite invaders in the north and the Habiru in the south. The letters also provide insights into the culture and language of the Canaanite peoples, as well as the political connections and alliances forged by the Egyptian king with other rulers.
The discovery of the Amarna letters sheds light on the diplomatic practices of ancient Egypt and the broader region during this period. They demonstrate the use of Akkadian as a diplomatic language and the practice of exchanging letters and gifts between rulers to forge political connections and alliances. Additionally, the letters highlight the importance of diplomacy in establishing and maintaining relationships between neighbouring kingdoms and the role of the Egyptian administration in managing these relationships.
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Ancient Greek city-states dispatched envoys to negotiate issues like war and peace
The earliest evidence of diplomacy can be traced back to ancient civilisations in Egypt, China, India, and the Middle East. The term "diplomacy" itself is derived from the 18th-century French term "diplomate", which in turn comes from the ancient Greek "diplōma", meaning "an object folded in two". This practice of folding documents to protect their privacy was common before the invention of envelopes.
Ancient Greek city-states occasionally dispatched envoys to negotiate specific issues such as war and peace, or commercial relations. These envoys were chosen for their oratorical skills and were expected to sway foreign assemblies. They were typically older, politically prominent figures who travelled in small groups to ensure each other's loyalty and safety.
Heralds, who were associated with Hermes, the messenger of the gods, were also used as the favoured channels of contact in wartime. They travelled alone and were considered inviolable. Envoys, on the other hand, addressed public gatherings in the receiving city-state, using the arts of persuasion and rhetoric. They publicised important treaties by inscribing them on stone or bronze pillars (stelai) in temples or other sacred places. This openness in diplomacy was a unique feature of ancient Greek city-states, though it created a major weakness by prioritising advocacy over negotiation.
While the ancient Greeks did not have diplomatic representatives regularly posted in each other's territories, they did have proxenos, citizens of the host city with friendly relations to another city, often through familial ties. They also conducted diplomacy with non-Hellenistic rivals, such as the Achaemenid Empire of Persia, which was eventually conquered by Alexander the Great of Macedon. Alexander himself was adept at diplomacy, intermingling and intermarrying his Macedonian and Greek subjects with native populations to placate rebellions.
The tradition of ancient Greek diplomacy inspired the birth of modern diplomacy in post-Renaissance Europe and laid the foundation for the present world system of international relations.
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The first full diplomatic system was established between Italian city-states in the Renaissance
Diplomacy has existed in some form since ancient times, with traces of Egyptian diplomacy dating back to the 14th century BCE, and the oldest surviving treaties being from around 1280 BCE. However, the first full diplomatic system was established between Italian city-states in the Renaissance, specifically between 1350 and 1494. This period marked the golden age of Italian Renaissance diplomacy, lasting from 1454 to 1494.
The Italian city-states of the Renaissance were independent political entities, some with roots in ancient Etruscan, Latin, Greek, Umbrian, Celtic, and other cultures. Cities such as Venice, Florence, and Milan had large populations and thriving economies, fuelled by expanding commerce. The city-states were too weak to impose themselves on their neighbours militarily, so they relied on diplomacy to handle internal relations. The primary purpose of a diplomat during this time was negotiation, and Italian diplomats were often bankers and traders.
The first permanent diplomatic mission was established in 1450, representing the Duke of Milan to Cosimo de' Medici of Florence. The Peace of Lodi, signed in 1454 between Milan, Naples, and Florence, put an end to the wars between Milan and Venice and codified the diplomatic system among the Italian city-states. This period of peace lasted until 1494 when Italy was invaded by France, bringing the Italian Renaissance to a close.
The Italian diplomatic system was soon adopted by other European countries, including England and France, in the 16th and early 17th centuries. The first modern foreign ministry was established in France by Cardinal Richelieu in 1626. Richelieu saw diplomacy as a continuous process of negotiation and created the Ministry of External Affairs to centralize policy and control envoys. The principles he enunciated are still accepted by leaders worldwide as axioms of statecraft.
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Modern diplomatic practices are a product of the post-Renaissance European state system
Diplomacy as a concept has existed since ancient times, with the term "diplomacy" derived from the ancient Greek "diploma", which referred to a folded document that conferred privileges such as permits to travel. The ancient Greek city-states dispatched envoys to negotiate specific issues such as war and peace, and the first diplomatic language, Akkadian (Babylonian), served as the international tongue of the Middle East. The ancient Greeks also had the role of "proxenos", a citizen of the host city with friendly relations with another city, often through familial ties.
However, modern diplomatic methods, practices, and principles originated largely from 17th-century European customs, with the Italian city-states in the 15th century marking the beginning of modern diplomacy as we know it today. This included permanent diplomatic missions and a rudimentary ministry of foreign affairs built around diplomatic archives. The primary purpose of a diplomat, which was originally a negotiator, evolved into a persona that represented an autonomous state in all aspects of political affairs. The power of the Catholic Church began to gradually decline, and the Italian city-states, the Kingdom of Naples, and city-states like Venice, Milan, and Florence with strong manufacturing trading industries, played a significant role in the development of modern diplomacy. The papal court and the city of Rome were also central to the formation of the modern European diplomatic system.
The end of the era of "mercantile consuls" in 1649 and the increasing coordination of European states' expansion into foreign markets also contributed to the evolution of diplomatic practices. The creation of international organizations in the 19th century, such as the Concert of Europe, and the technological revolutions that changed the mediums of exchange, further influenced the development of diplomacy. The role of the diplomat has had to adapt to the use of new technologies, such as the telegraph, telephone, and email, which have impacted the function of producing, analyzing, and transmitting information to aid in decision-making.
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Frequently asked questions
The word "diplomacy" is derived from the 18th-century French term "diplomate" ("diplomat" or "diplomatist"), which in turn comes from the ancient Greek "diploma" ("an object folded in two"), reflecting the practice of sovereigns providing a folded document to confer some official privilege.
The practice of diplomacy likely predates recorded history, with traces of Egyptian diplomacy dating to the 14th century BCE, and evidence of Mayan exchanges of envoys found in inscriptions on the walls of abandoned Mayan cities. The first diplomatic language was Akkadian (Babylonian), which served as the international tongue of the Middle East. The oldest surviving treaties, from about 1280 BCE, were between Ramses II of Egypt and Hittite leaders.
Modern diplomatic methods, practices, and principles originated largely from 17th-century European customs, with the first full diplomatic system established between Italian city-states during the Renaissance. Beginning in the early 20th century, diplomacy became professionalized, with the 1961 Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations providing a framework for diplomatic procedures, methods, and conduct ratified by most of the world's sovereign states.
