10 Facts About Vassal states

Vassal states were common among the empires of the Near East, dating back to the era of the Egyptian, Hittite and Mitanni conflict, as well as ancient China.

The use of vassal states continued through the Middle Ages, with the last empire to use such states being the Ottoman Empire.

Egypt's key vassal states were located on the northern frontier, and included states such as Nuhasse, Qatna and Ugarit.

However, these vassal states were claimed by the Hittite Empire following the death of Akhenaten and were never reclaimed.

Hittite Empire incorporated vassal states that extended over much of Anatolia and Northern Syria.

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The addition of vassal states reached its peak under the reigns of Suppiluliuma I and Mursili II in the 14th Century BC.

The relationships between the Hittites and their vassal states centered around the Hittite king and the vassal ruler; the terms of their relationship were imposed unilaterally by the former, and accepted by the latter.

Treaties imposed on vassal states came with military obligations, though vassals were promised military assistance in return.

Vassal states were obliged to support and swear fealty to the king's legitimate successors as well.

One of these vassal states would go on to conquer China and unite the country under the first emperor Qin Shi Huang.