The Assyrians

The Beginning City of Nineveh discovered in 1932 by Sir Max

Mallowan of Britain Artifacts show that site was settled by 5000

B.C.E. 2 other great Assyrian cities settled very soon

after: Ashur and Arbel Arbel was one of the earliest permanent agricultural

settlements due to it’s rich corn fields By 2500 B.C.E. these three cities, Nineveh, Ashur

and Arbel, were all thriving metropoli

The Beginning By 2400 B.C.E. idea of complex societies

had spread from the Sumerians to other parts of Mesopotamia, including Assyria

One of the only civilizations that built walls around its settlements, which implies the risk of outside attacks and the need for warfare

Lived in the northern reaches of Mesopotamia

The Great Age (900-610 B.C.E.) 900 B.C.E. were the most feared people in

the region 725 B.C.E. Assyrians captured Israel and

deport Israelite nation to Mesopotamia 710 B.C.E. Sargon II moves the Assyrian

capital to Dur Sharrukin 689 B.C.E. Sennacherib sacks Babylon and

carries riches off to Ninevah

Great Age to Fall of Assyrian Empire 665 B.C.E. capture and destroy Thebes,

capital of Ancient Egypt 639 B.C.E. Assyrian kingdom reaches

greatest extent with the capture of Susa 612 B.C.E. Assyrian army defeated by

Medes and Babylonians joint effort 610 B.C.E. Fall of the city of Harran final

collapse of Assyria

Religion Ashurism was first religion Worshipped Ashur, The Creator of Universe Kings were high priests Believed that army belonged to the Ashur and all

those who did not submit were enemies Reason for rapid expansion

Tolerant of other gods as long as Ashur reigned supreme

Religious Temple

Politics Code of the Assura Government made up of a single king

Many of the monarchs were fierce leaders

Assyrian Empire regarded as the first real Empire in human history

As the empire grew, it was divided into local regions, governed by local rulers

Required to pay taxes and supply soldiers for the Army

Assyrian High Priest, Assyrian King

Bruitality Ancient Assyrians

blinding their captives. Assyrian artistic

portrayals are full with  images of captives and opponents being skinned alive, blinded, impaled, and their limbs, ears, etc.

Daily Life Assyrian cities were contained within massive

walls The population was schooled in the psychology

of war The cities contained the palace complexes, as

well as temples and housing for the common people

Basic Assyrian homes were typically single stories with flat roofs, and made of mud brick

Ancient Assyrian City

Social Achievements Neo-Assyrian cuneiform is the final stage of

cuneiform writing Preserved some 30,000 ancient works of

Mesopotamian culture, myth, and literature Turned the Middle East into a melting pot

due to mass deportations Melted diverse religions, cultures, and languages

Nimurd Lens Piece of rock crystal

unearthed in 1850 from the Nimrud palace complex

Believed by many as a part of an ancient telescope Could explain accuracy

of Assyrian astronomy

Role Of Women Women could act

independently, buy and sell houses, act as a guardian for another person.

They could also become involved in court cases.

Much like Babylonians