An early treaty of friendship between Egypt and Hatti

Before the treaty of friendship between Egypt and Hatti (in year 21 of Ramses II), there was an earlier treaty, known as the "Kurustama Treaty." The tablets CTH 134 possibly form this treaty, but because of their fragmentary condition, we have to rely upon secondary references: 1) Hittite Annals: the 'Deeds of Suppiluliuma as told by his son Mursilis II,' and two 'Plague Prayers' of Mursilis II (KUB XXXI 121 + 121a); 2) the Amarna Letters EA 31, EA 41; 3) reference in line 14 of the 'Peace Treaty' between Ramses II and Hattusili III. With the later treaty of Ramses' year 21, the rulers were not establishing an entirely new treaty, but renewing an earlier one. The Kurustama Treaty was also a treaty of equality. As for the date of this treaty, the author argues for a date prior to Suppiluliuma's reign, during the heyday of Egyptian imperial rule in Syria. The author suggests that the Kurustama Treaty is best placed in the reign of Amenhotep III and has possibly been concluded in the time of either Amenhotep II or Tuthmosis IV. (OEB)