De Jure Belli ac Pacis

"De Jure Belli ac Pacis," written by Hugo Grotius in 1625, is a foundational work that laid the principles for justifying and regulating war and peace. It argues that there are natural laws governing conduct during wartime and peace, emphasizing fairness, justice, and human rights. Grotius contended that wars must follow certain rules, such as respecting treaties and preventing unnecessary suffering. The work helped establish modern international law by defining when war is lawful and how nations should behave, aiming to promote stability and moral order in international relations.