This cuneiform tablet known as the The Aleppo Treaty contains a suzerainty treaty made around 1300 BC, between Mursili II, king of the Hittites (1339 - 1306 BC), and Talmi-sharruma of Aleppo in northern Syria. It is written in Akkadian cuneiform, to regulate the relationship between the two kingdoms. This is a suzerainty treaty between the powerful king of the Hittites (the suzerain), and the weaker king of Aleppo (the vassal), establishing Hittite dominance over Aleppo. It includes a historical background to the treaty, describing earlier activity of the Hittites in Syria.
The first two paragraphs of the treaty are an introduction by Muwatalli, including his
name and titles, the reason for the reissuance of Muršili's treaty and a curse on anyone who alters the text of the treaty.
The tablet itself records that the rest of the text quotes the original treaty, including Muršili's name and titles, a historical prologue, a mutual protection pact between Hatti and Aleppo, a statement that Aleppo will not rebel against Hatti, and a list of human witnesses to the treaty.
The Book of Deuteronomy has a similar structure to these Hittite suzerainty treaties
1. Preamble - identifying the suzerain, or author of the covenant (Deut 1:1-5)
2. Historical prologue - reviewing the relationship between the suzerain and the vassal in the period leading up to the treaty, showing the goodness of the suzerain (Deut 1:6 - 4:43)
3. Stipulations - obligations laid on the vassal by the suzerain to be loyal
general stipulations (Deut 4:44 - 11:32),
detailed stipulations (Deut 12:1 - 26:19)
4. Witnesses - various deities called upon to witness the treaty (Deut 30:19, 31:19, ch 32)
5. Blessings and cursings - rewards for keeping the treaty, punishment for breaking it (Deut ch 27-28)
6. Provision for renewal of the treaty - instructions for regular renewal and public reading of the treaty (Deut 31:10-12)
British Museum Link
For the text of two other Hittite Treaties, see Hittite Treaties