Pîrî Reis University Faculty of Law, in collaboration with Ankara University National Research Center for Maritime Law (DEHUKAM) and affiliated research centers, hosted the scientific conference titled "Maritime Law Through the Ages Colloquiums – I," comprehensively examining the historical origins of ancient maritime law. Held on Tuesday, May 5, 2026 at Tuzla Maritime Campus, the event explored the development of maritime rules from Mesopotamia to the Roman Empire through a broad historical perspective.
The colloquium opened with remarks by Retired Admiral Metin Ataç. Opening speeches were delivered by Pîrî Reis University Faculty of Law Dean Prof. Dr. B. Ceyda Süral Efeçınar, DETAM Director Prof. Dr. Havva İşkan, DHUAM Director Prof. Dr. Sezer Ilgın, and DEHUKAM Director Dr. Mustafa Başkara. Prof. Dr. Ilgın commemorated the late Prof. Dr. N. Bülent Sözer, remembering the contributions of the Roman law professor to maritime law with respect.
The first session titled "The Emergence of Maritime Law in Near Eastern Civilizations Before Rome" examined rules regarding waterways in Sumerian, Babylonian, and Hittite legal systems. Prof. Dr. Hakan Erol and Yunus Emre Çankaya from Ankara University presented their joint paper "Waterways in Ancient Mesopotamian Law," discussing mechanisms for securing trade safety. Mustafa Bilgin from Istanbul University shared Egyptian civilization's legal approaches to waterways. Mehmet Yiğit Meydan from Marmara University evaluated maritime activities and maritime law in the Hittite Empire through philological and archaeological evidence.
The second session examined "Maritime Activities, Trade, and Legal Framework in the Eastern Mediterranean in Ancient Times," analyzing trade prohibitions and proto-embargo practices in the context of Hittite-Assyrian relations. Dr. Erkan Kurul from Akdeniz University presented his paper "From Sumer to Eastern Rome: Early Traces and Classical Foundations of Ancient Maritime Law," explaining the thalassographic evolution of maritime law. Prof. Dr. Mustafa Hamdi Sayar from Istanbul Medeniyet University discussed legal regulations in the Eastern Mediterranean basin in ancient times.
DEHUKAM Director Dr. Mustafa Başkara expressed satisfaction with the academic collaboration initiated with Pîrî Reis University, expressing hope that the colloquium series would continue and expand in the coming years. Examined at this scale for the first time in Türkiye, the event offered an interdisciplinary approach to the historical origins of maritime law.
Key Takeaways:
1. Pîrî Reis University and Ankara University DEHUKAM hosted the scientific conference "Maritime Law Through the Ages Colloquiums – I" on May 5, 2026.
2. The colloquium examined the development of maritime rules in Mesopotamian, Egyptian, Hittite, Greek, and Roman civilizations through an interdisciplinary approach.
3. Expert academics from Ankara, Istanbul, Marmara, Akdeniz, and Istanbul Medeniyet universities presented papers on ancient maritime law.
4. Trade prohibitions and proto-embargo practices in Hittite-Assyrian relations were discussed as early examples of economic sanctions in ancient times.
5. DEHUKAM Director Dr. Mustafa Başkara expressed hope that the colloquium series would continue and expand in the coming years.
