Balances of power in the Hatti-Egypt-Mittani system (1400-1300 B.C.)

This paper offers a system-theoretic view of the Hatti-Egypt-Mittani (HEM) system and evaluates the formation of alliances within this specific triad. Historical records note three such alliance agreements: the Kuretama treaty between Hatti and Egypt (Bryce 1998; Sürenhagen 2006), the Egypt-Mittani Treaty (Moran 1992; Redford 1992), and the Qadiš treaty between Hatti and Egypt (Moran 1992; Redford 1992). Each agreement indicates two actors siding against a third actor. The rationale was to establish peace between allies to reduce the number of war fronts. Two-or multiple-front war problems present the difficulty of allocating a state’s military forces to geographically separate fronts.