What is the history of the Assyrian Empire?

Answer 1

When tracing the long history of Assyria it is clear that the kingdom which initially began around the region on the Upper Tigris River in the Middle Bronze Age, grew to become a powerful empire later, spanning from 2400 BC to 612 BC. Assyrian history could be divided into six periods, such as Emergence - beginning: 2400 BC, the first Golden Age: 2400 BC - 612 BC, the first Dark Age: 612 BC - 33 AD, the Second Golden Age: 33 AD - 1300 AD, the Second Dark Age: 1300 AD to 1918 AD and finally Diaspora: 1918 AD to the present.During the long history of Assyria, they were subjugated (conquered) most of the time by more powerful kingdoms and people of the southern region. The Assyrians are a semetic people indegenous to Mesopotamia; they are Mediterranean Caucasoids and are ethnically distinct from Arabs and Jews. They are known as a race of warriors who were cruel and brutal than any other race. Assyrians were fierce warriors and used swords, slings, bows and shields in war. They also used war chariots drawn by horses. Archers fired at the enemy from them. The common language and art of Assyria originated from Sumeria, but was modified over the years. In fact, the Assyrians spoke two languages. The Neo-Assyrian Period (911-612 BC) which succeeded the Middle Assyrian period (14th-10th BC), is the last, but the most popular and best documented period in the duration of the Assyrian Empire. Assyrians established merchant colonies known as Karum (the Akkadian word for port) in 1920 BC-1840 BC and 1796 BC - 1740 BC. Even though Assyria was a minor kingdom in the Middle Assyrian period, it competed for dominion with their southern Mesopotamian rival, Babylon. It reached peak power with reforms of Tiglath-Pileser III who ruled Assyria from 745-727 BC. During the 25th dynasty of Egypt, Assyria became a serious threat to Egypt. Even though not much information has been gathered about life in the early periods, it is recorded that the Assyrians practised Ashurism and Christianity as their religions. The first religion was derived from the name of God Ashur and was practised until 256 AD, with some of the people taking to Christianity. Assyria is considered as the first nation to embrace Christianity. In fact, records state that the first Assyrian church was founded in 33 AD by Thomas, Bartholemew and Thaddeus. Inventions It is the Assyrians who first used battering rams to knock holes in the city walls during battle. They were skilled at seige warfare to defeat their enemies. They also used excavation as a means to undermine the strength of city walls in enemy territory. The concept of corps of engineers who bridged rivers with pontoons (flat bottomed boats or metal drums) or provided soldiers with inflatable skins for swimming is believed to have been introduced by the Assyrians. Assyrians had invented many devises that are still used in our present days as locks and keys that were first used in Assyria. in Assyria the sexagesimal system of keeping time was developed. One cannot imagine driving without paved roads; it is in Assyria where paved roads were first used. And the list goes on, including the first postal system, the first use of iron, the first magnifying glasses, the first libraries, the first plumbing and flush toilets, the first electric batteries, the first guitars, the first aqueducts, the first arch, and on and on.

The most important thing that originated from Assyria is ideas, ideas that would shape the world to come. It is the idea, for example, of imperial administration, of dividing the land into territories administered by local governors who report to the central authority, the King of Assyria. This fundamental model of administration has survived to this day, as can be seen in America's federal-state system.

Answer 2

The Assyrian was eradicated by a coalition of Elamites and Chaldeans in about 609 BC.