Survey
* Your assessment is very important for improving the workof artificial intelligence, which forms the content of this project
* Your assessment is very important for improving the workof artificial intelligence, which forms the content of this project
The Assyrian Conquerors CHW3M The Lord said,"... But Nineveh has more than a hundred and twenty thousand people who cannot tell their right hand from their left, and many cattle as well. Should I not be concerned about that great city?" (Jonah 4:10) The Rise of the Conquerors While the Mesopotamian civilizations were the oldest (3500 BC), and Egypt was the longest lasting (as a main power, 3100-605 BC), the Assyrian Empire was the most powerful civilization the world had ever known (911-612 BC). A Power Vacuum During Egyptian dominance, Assyria had been growing increasingly powerful. Two things contributed to Assyrian dominance: 1. Fall of the competing civilizations – Kassites (Babylon), Hittites (Egypt’s competition), Egypt 2. Spread of the Iron Age (no longer monopolized by Hittites) The Rise of the Conquerors Development of Assyria •3000 BC: City-State of Ashur formed (Assyrians born) •Egypt (+Babylon, Hittites) dominant for a long time •1247 BC: Assyrians sack Babylon •Tiglath-Pileser I conquers 42 cities (?), hunts sharks •Tiglath-Pileser III founds real Assyrian Empire • Conquers Babylon, subjugates Hebrews • Deports 200,000 rebels – new policy Development of Assyria •Sargon II crushes Israel (but not Judah) •Sennacherib crushes Judah (but not Jerusalem – tribute or divine intervention?) • Also levels Babylon – shocking! •Later kings invade Egypt – enormous empire •612 BC: Ninevah destroyed by New Babylonians (Chaldeans) War Machine Assyria was a military powerhouse for several reasons: Organization: specialized army •Chariots: giant, four-men chariots formed core of army •Calvary: armed with bow and lance •Infantry: made heavy use of archers and lancers “Reign of Terror”: Horrible reputation for cruelty discouraged opposition • Rebellion punished by razing cities • Leaders would be tortured and killed • Flaying, live burials, crucifixion common This relief represents part of a scene from a marble slab discovered at Khorsabad. The Assyrian king is using a spear to blind one of his many prisoners. In his left hand he holds a cord with a hook attached at the opposite end which are inserted into the prisoners lips. The Assyrians would thrust the point of a dagger or spear into the eye. Society and Culture Society •Run by military despotism • King rules by army • Like Egypt, but with more force/violence •Most people required to serve in army for some time (“ilku service”) •Code of law very brutal • Repressive towards women • Cutting off ears, noses, limbs common • Capital punishment decided by victim’s family (nasty) Culture •Religious system based on worship of Ashur (founder, chief God) •King functioned as high priest •No respect for foreign Gods (uncommon) •Did have strong culture: • Enormous library in Nineveh • Incredibly realistic art (unparalleled until Romans) Downfall Too inhuman? •Cruelty of the Assyrians ultimately united their enemies against them •612 BC, Babylonians made alliance with Persia •Joint force completely destroys Nineveh – God’s judgement?