[Their] arrows are sharp, and all their bows bent, their horses hooves shall be counted like flint, and their wheels like a whirlwind!
Isaiah 5:28, Holy Bible
From out of the dust of the Mesopotamian dogpile arose one of the most ferocious civilizations ever seen: the Assyrians. From their skill as horsemen to iron weapons, the people of Assyria carved an empire spanning both land and time.
Beginning of an Empire
Though Assyria is always known for its giant armies and vast swathes of land, every empire has its humble beginnings. In fact, Assyria lasted for many centuries in northern Mesopotamia, though at that time it was not exactly Assyria. Instead, only the city-state of Ashur stood and even then was under the reins of the Akkadians and Babylonians, whose fighting back and forth south of its walls left the city relatively strong and well-built. Under the Akkadian Dynasty of Sargon the Great, Ashur became an administrative center under rule of law and was put in charge of the large surrounding regions. However, the Assyrians did not appreciate the rule of Sargon or the Akkadian central government because of the lack of support that the kings typically gave to Ashur and its defense. Given the supposed extremity that the cities of Nineveh and Ashur held compared to the Akkadian metropolitan heart- their positions on the banks of the upper part of the Tigris River- the people of the region held a sort of outcast position to the rest of Mesopotamia. However, this sort of seclusion played big roles in the future state come the late 3rd century B.C.E., when the Akkadians fell to a string of invasions by the Gutians. Soon after, around 1813 B.C.E., king Shamshi-Adad continued the hike for power by uniting Ashur, Nineveh, Arbel, and Arrapkha (all of which had been city-states previously) into the first true Assyrian empire.
Beginning of an Empire
Though Assyria is always known for its giant armies and vast swathes of land, every empire has its humble beginnings. In fact, Assyria lasted for many centuries in northern Mesopotamia, though at that time it was not exactly Assyria. Instead, only the city-state of Ashur stood and even then was under the reins of the Akkadians and Babylonians, whose fighting back and forth south of its walls left the city relatively strong and well-built. Under the Akkadian Dynasty of Sargon the Great, Ashur became an administrative center under rule of law and was put in charge of the large surrounding regions. However, the Assyrians did not appreciate the rule of Sargon or the Akkadian central government because of the lack of support that the kings typically gave to Ashur and its defense. Given the supposed extremity that the cities of Nineveh and Ashur held compared to the Akkadian metropolitan heart- their positions on the banks of the upper part of the Tigris River- the people of the region held a sort of outcast position to the rest of Mesopotamia. However, this sort of seclusion played big roles in the future state come the late 3rd century B.C.E., when the Akkadians fell to a string of invasions by the Gutians. Soon after, around 1813 B.C.E., king Shamshi-Adad continued the hike for power by uniting Ashur, Nineveh, Arbel, and Arrapkha (all of which had been city-states previously) into the first true Assyrian empire.
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The War Machine
Often considered the scourge of the ancient Middle East, the Assyrian army has been hailed as one of the most brutal yet efficient fighting forces in history. The dedication to military prowess paid dividends: all males could be called into military service, allowing kings to field up to 50,000 men in a single battle. The soldiers were divided into squads of ten, and twenty squads made up a company. However, it was not just the sheer number of soldiers that gave the Assyrians an advantage. Cutting-edge military equipment was key in the violent Mesopotamian valley back then, and, fortunately, the Assyrians were top of the line. Key Innovations - Iron swords, spears, and battering rams were used by infantry to pound away at opponents. The influx of iron was hugely successful for the Assyrian people, whose opponents mainly relied on bronze instead. - Chariots and mobile towers were used. Armies typically used the chariots to burst past enemy lines with impressive speed, which caused chaos within the opposing ranks because of the gaps opened up. Mobile towers stationed on wheels could hold archers and slingsmen that rained projectiles onto enemies from elevated heights. - Assyria is credited with the invention of the lancer- the spearmen on horseback. Although simple in concept, the results were devastating, and the lancer was even used into the 19th century during the World Wars. |
![Picture](/uploads/2/3/7/2/23729573/3873295_orig.jpg)
The Assyrians combined military might with strong-willed discipline to ravage western Asia during their reign. One of their most prominent conquests, the city of Lachish in Judea, is depicted here. After scaling the walls, the troops led away prisoners into captivity, while unluckier ones were beheaded, flayed, or burned alive.
![Picture](/uploads/2/3/7/2/23729573/9211910.jpg?546)
Legacy
Throughout the centuries, the Assyrians rose and declined numerous times despite invasions from the Hittites and Babylonians to the south and barbarians from the Caucasus. During their most powerful reign- from roughly 699 to 627 B.C.E., they managed to conquer all of Mesopotamia, southern Anatolia, and Armenia. However, despite their warring history, the society is still credited with numerous inventions such as the library, the lock and key, and the magnifying glass, all of which are still used today. Though lost to the depths of Fertile Crescent society, their contributions to the modern world are undeniable.
Throughout the centuries, the Assyrians rose and declined numerous times despite invasions from the Hittites and Babylonians to the south and barbarians from the Caucasus. During their most powerful reign- from roughly 699 to 627 B.C.E., they managed to conquer all of Mesopotamia, southern Anatolia, and Armenia. However, despite their warring history, the society is still credited with numerous inventions such as the library, the lock and key, and the magnifying glass, all of which are still used today. Though lost to the depths of Fertile Crescent society, their contributions to the modern world are undeniable.