The reception and protection of diplomats and embassies

Some general concepts

Fundamental to the idea of a law of nations in ancient times was the proper respect and protection to be accorded to the official representatives of other sovereigns. Two ancient States might have been in a condition of distrust or competition, and yet diplomatic contacts were constantly promoted and reinforced between them as long as they were not actually at war. The principles of diplomatic intercourse were surely seen as rules to be followed save in the most grievous breach. The international law of diplomats and diplomatic protection was fundamental, because without it the simplest forms of negotiation between independent polities would have been impossible. The rules of diplomatic conduct were, therefore, motivated by the highest demands of necessity. Before launching into the more specific ideas surrounding the functions of diplomatic personnel in antiquity - including their reception and protection from harm - some significant general concepts of diplomatic practice should be noted.

Each of the ancient cultures surveyed in this study held strong notions of hospitality and the proper courtesies and facilities to be extended to strangers from afar. In a world of imperfect and dangerous communications and means of transport, where even modest distances posed incredible obstacles and difficulties for travelers, hospitality was more than a merely desirable institution of personal favor. Rather, in each of the State systems considered here, hospitality was sanctioned and ritualized.