Origins of the Just War: Military Ethics and Culture in the Ancient Near East

Origins of the Just War explores the ethical thought of three ancient Near Eastern cultures—Egyptian, Hittite, and Israelite—and demonstrates that the history of the just war is more ancient and geographically diffuse than previously assumed. It argues that the earliest ethical thought about war reflected an urge to rationalize, sacralize, and legitimize state violence, and that the same imperative still underlies many of the assumptions of contemporary just war thought.

Format: Hardback
Length: 536 pages
Publication date: 02 January 2024
Publisher: Princeton University Press

Origins of the Just War, a groundbreaking exploration of the ethics of war in the ancient Near East, unveils the profound depth and intricacy of ethical thought surrounding warfare in the three millennia preceding the Greco-Roman era. This seminal work by Rory Cox establishes the extent to which ancient just war thought laid the foundation for much of what we today regard as the fundamental principles of the Western just war tradition.

In this meticulously researched and eloquently written book, Cox delves into the earliest notions regarding the intricate interplay between war, ethics, and justice. By excavating the ethical frameworks of three ancient Near Eastern cultures—Egyptian, Hittite, and Israelite—he challenges the prevailing notion that the history of the just war is limited to a specific region or time period. Cox demonstrates that the origins of just war thought were rooted in a quest to rationalize, sanctify, and ultimately legitimize the use of violence in warfare. Contrary to popular belief, the earliest ethical perspectives on war did not aim to restrain or condemn warfare but rather sought to justify state violence. This underlying presumption, known as ius pro bello, represents a convergence of abstract and pragmatic considerations.

Origins of the Just War employs a wide array of ancient sources to substantiate its arguments, emphasizing that the same ethical imperative continues to shape contemporary just war thought. It also raises cautionary notes about the dangers of applying moral absolutism to the complex and morally fraught realm of war. Through its comprehensive analysis, this book offers valuable insights into the evolution of ethical thought about warfare and its implications for understanding the complexities of contemporary conflict.

Dimension: 235 x 156 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780691171890