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Concise History of Ancient Assyria and the Assyrian Empire (Historical Highlights and Great Kings)

History with Cy・2 minutes read

Ancient Assyrian history is divided into three phases, with Ashur as a significant center, expanding and contracting throughout time. Assyria faced decline after various rulers, leading to a shift in power to Babylon, ultimately ending with the establishment of the Neo-Babylonian and Median empires.

Insights

  • Assyria's history is marked by distinct periods - Old Assyrian, Middle Assyrian, and Neo-Assyrian - with Ashur as a key spiritual and commercial center, showing the evolution and importance of this region over time.
  • The downfall of Assyria was sealed by a series of events, including the desecration of Babylon's temple by King Tukulti-Ninurta I, leading to a decline in power, territorial losses, and eventual overthrow by Nabopolassar and the Medes, marking the end of Assyrian dominance in the ancient Near East.

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  • What were the three main phases of ancient Assyrian history?

    Old Assyrian, Middle Assyrian, Neo-Assyrian periods.

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Summary

00:00

Ancient Assyrian history: Rise and Fall

  • Ancient Assyrian history divided into three main phases: Old Assyrian, Middle Assyrian, and Neo-Assyrian periods.
  • Assyrians lived in northern Iraq, with Ashur as a spiritual base and center.
  • Assyria's territory expanded and contracted, with Ashur always being significant.
  • Ashur was initially a small shrine settlement but grew into a regional commercial hub.
  • King Shamshi-Adad of Amorite origin expanded Assyria's power significantly.
  • Assyria became independent after overthrowing Mitanni rule in the early 15th century BCE.
  • Assyrian King Ashur-bel-nisheshu corresponded with the Egyptians, asserting equal status.
  • Tensions rose between Assyria and Babylonia, leading to conflicts and Assyrian intervention.
  • King Tukulti-Ninurta I desecrated Babylon's temple, leading to Assyria's decline.
  • Assyria fell into decline after Tukulti-Ninurta I's assassination, losing territories and power.

16:48

Rise and Fall of Assyrian Empire

  • The Hittite Empire collapsed, while Egypt lost territories; Tiglath-Pileser I ruled Assyria from 1114 to 1076 BCE, expanding influence and regaining lost territories.
  • Tiglath-Pileser I crossed the Euphrates River 28 times to combat Aramean tribes, replenishing Assyria's wealth with gold and silver.
  • Tiglath-Pileser I funded building projects in Ashur, including public works like gardens, parks, and a zoo, and supported the scribal arts and schools.
  • Assyria faced a decline after Tiglath-Pileser I, losing territory to Arameans, reducing the kingdom to a small area along the Tigris River.
  • Assyria's early kings like Ashur-Dan II and Adad-Nirari II laid the foundation for the Neo-Assyrian Empire through territorial and economic expansion.
  • Ashur-Dan II focused on domestic projects, rebuilding the armed forces and ensuring productive territories.
  • Adad-Nirari II continued expansion, fighting against Arameans and Babylonians, setting the stage for further conquests.
  • Shalmaneser III faced opposition from a Levant coalition in 853 BCE, leading to battles and tribute demands from defeated kingdoms.
  • Tiglath-Pileser III took a ruthless approach, deporting civilians and resettling Assyrians to strengthen the empire, maintaining loyalty from vassal kings.
  • Sargon II ended Assyrian-Hurrian rivalry, defeating the Hurrians and expanding into Anatolia, encountering King Midas of Phrygia.

33:27

Rise and Fall of Assyrian Empire

  • Sargon made a deal with Marduk apply Adina to spare his life if the defensive walls of d'Or jocund were taken down.
  • Sargon became king of Babylon and stayed there for three years, becoming a devotee of Marduk.
  • Sargon had a capital city, d'Or Shu rookin, built for himself, moving his court there in 707 BCE.
  • Sargon was killed in battle in 705 BCE, with his body never recovered, leading to unrest among Assyrians.
  • Sargon's son, Sanaa he Arriba, moved the Assyrian capital to Nineveh, abandoning d'Or Shu rookin.
  • Sennacherib attacked Babylon and southern Babylonia, facing resistance from Marduk apply Adina and others.
  • Sennacherib besieged Judah in 701 BCE, facing a miraculous defeat according to the Bible, but likely due to other events.
  • Sennacherib faced continued rebellion in Babylon, leading to instability in his rule.
  • Sennacherib's son, Ashur Nadine Schumi, was installed as king in Babylon, but the region remained turbulent.
  • Ashurbanipal succeeded Sennacherib, expanding the Assyrian Empire, conquering Egypt, and collecting ancient texts.

49:56

Nabopolassar: Rise to Power and Victory

  • Nabopolassar, a Chaldean leader, rose to prominence for his anti-Assyrian activities, leading Babylonian armies to victory against Assyrian forces in Uruk and Babylon. The Babylonian people crowned him king, and he successfully pushed Syrian forces northward, securing independence for Babylonia.
  • Seeking to protect the Chaldeans from future threats, Nabopolassar allied with the Medes, who had recently united under King Cyaxares. Together, in 615 BCE, they conquered Ashur and later breached Nineveh's walls in 612 BCE, effectively ending Assyrian dominance and establishing the Neo-Babylonian and Median empires in the ancient Near East.
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