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Hugo Grotius
Dutch jurist laying the foundations for international law based on natural law and maritime freedom.
Key Insights
- Mare Liberum: Pioneered "freedom of the seas," arguing that oceans are international territory, a core principle of modern maritime law.
- Just War Theory: Defined legal and moral limits for conflict, asserting that war must have a legitimate cause and follow specific rules.
- Secular Natural Law: Argued that law derives from human reason rather than just divine command, allowing for a universal legal framework between diverse nations.
Cite this brief
Groenheijde, S. (2023). Hugo Grotius. EPIS Insight · International Law & Treaties.
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