Timeline about the International Law actors

By Nicoleibarra
  • 3000 BCE

    Acient civilizations

    Early forms of interstate law through treaties and customary practice (e.g., treaties in Mesopotamia and between Egyptian and Hittite states)
  • 200 BCE

    Roman Empire

    Concept of jus gentium (“law of nations”) developed to regulate relations with foreigners
  • 500

    Medieval Europe

    Natural law and canon law underlaid rules governing Christian rulers
  • 1500

    Early Modern Period

    Scholars like Francisco de Vitoria introduce ideas of natural law governing relations among peoples
  • 1552

    Alberico Gentili

    writes foundational works on public international law

  • Hugo Grotius

    publishes De Jure Belli ac Pacis (1625), systematizing international law and just war doctrine.

  • Samuel von Pufendorf

    Samuel von Pufendorf expands natural law theory with De Jure Naturae et Gentium (1672).

  • Emer de Vattel

    Emer de Vattel writes The Law of Nations (1758), influencing state practice.

  • Codification of international law grows

    Codification of international law grows; Hague Peace Conferences and institutions begin to shape rules.

  • League of Nations

    League of Nations established after World War I.

  • United Nations and UN Charter

    United Nations and UN Charter created, greatly expanding international law.

  • Growth

    Growth of human rights law, environmental law, international courts (ICJ, ICTY, ICC).