A Short History of Assyria and the Neo-Assyrian Empire
Summary
TLDRThis World History Encyclopedia video explores the rise and fall of the Assyrian Empire, from its beginnings in Mesopotamia to its Neo-Assyrian expansion. Key rulers like Ashurnasirpal II and Ashurbanipal shaped its legacy, with Ashurbanipal's library at Nineveh preserving invaluable ancient texts. The empire's military strategies, cultural assimilation, and eventual decline are highlighted, with its destruction leading to the preservation of significant historical records that have enriched our understanding of the ancient Near East.
Takeaways
- š The destruction of the Assyrian Empire led to the preservation of crucial ancient texts, including those from Ashurbanipal's library.
- š Assyria's history began in northern Mesopotamia and expanded significantly during the Neo-Assyrian Empire.
- š Prominent Assyrian rulers like Adad Nirari I and Ashurbanipal played key roles in the empire's military campaigns and cultural advancements.
- š”ļø The Assyrian military's use of iron weapons gave them a significant advantage during their conquests.
- š The empire went through multiple periods of rise and fall, with various external forces such as the Mittani, Babylonians, and Hittites impacting its trajectory.
- š Trade colonies like Karum Kanesh were vital for Assyria's economic growth and the acquisition of raw materials.
- š The Assyrians were known for their deportation policies, relocating populations to prevent rebellion and assimilate diverse cultures into their empire.
- š„ Advances in medicine and the establishment of schools during the Neo-Assyrian period reflect the empire's commitment to knowledge and education.
- š° The Assyrian Empire reached its greatest extent under kings like Sargon II and Sennacherib, who expanded its borders through military conquests.
- š Ashurbanipal's library at Nineveh was a significant cultural achievement, housing a vast collection of texts that have greatly informed our understanding of the ancient world.
- šļø The decipherment of cuneiform tablets, initially through the Aramaic language, unlocked a wealth of knowledge about Mesopotamian history and culture.
Q & A
What was the significance of the destruction of the Assyrian Empire in preserving ancient texts?
-The destruction of the Assyrian Empire led to the preservation of thousands of clay tablets that were baked by the fires that destroyed Nineveh and other cities. These tablets, once deciphered, provided invaluable insights into the ancient Near East, including myths that inspired Biblical stories, as well as details on early agriculture, architecture, and warfare.
How did the Assyrian Empire expand its territory?
-The Assyrian Empire expanded its territory through a series of military campaigns and strategic alliances. They also utilized siege warfare techniques, such as lighting fires under gates, using mobile ladders, and battering rams to breach city walls.
What was the role of Anatolia in the rise of the Assyrian Empire?
-Anatolia played a crucial role in the rise of the Assyrian Empire as a source of raw materials, particularly iron, which allowed the Assyrians to perfect ironworking. The trade relationship with Anatolia brought wealth to the Assyrians, enabling them to expand their city and lay the foundation for their empire.
Who were some of the prominent rulers of the Assyrian Empire mentioned in the script?
-Prominent rulers of the Assyrian Empire mentioned in the script include Tudiya, Erishum I, Shamashi Adad I, Tiglath Pileser I, Ashurnasirpal II, Adad Nirari I, Tukulti-Ninurta I, Ashurbanipal, and Sennacherib.
How did the Assyrian Empire's policy of deportation impact the stability of their empire?
-The Assyrian Empire's policy of deporting large portions of the population from conquered lands and replacing them with Assyrians was intended to prevent future rebellions. This policy also involved relocating people based on their talents to areas where they could contribute to the empire, which helped in stabilizing the regions under their control.
What was the significance of the Battle of Nihriya in the context of the Assyrian Empire?
-The Battle of Nihriya, fought in circa 1254 BCE, was significant as it marked the end of Hittite power in the region and initiated their decline. It was a victory for Tukulti-Ninurta I, which allowed the Assyrian Empire to expand and solidify its control over the region.
How did the Assyrian Empire's approach to religion contribute to its cohesion and expansion?
-The Assyrian Empire's approach to religion, particularly the worship of their god Ashur, contributed to its cohesion and expansion by assimilating the gods and religious practices of conquered peoples into their worship. This helped in integrating the conquered populations into the Assyrian Empire and maintaining control over diverse regions.
What was the role of Ashurbanipal's library in shaping our understanding of the ancient Near East?
-Ashurbanipal's library, discovered in the 19th century, revolutionized our understanding of the ancient Near East by providing a vast collection of cuneiform tablets containing texts on myths, agriculture, architecture, and warfare. These texts were crucial in deciphering the Akkadian and Sumerian languages and provided insights into the development of culture, arts, and religion in neighboring civilizations.
How did the Assyrian Empire's military tactics evolve over time?
-The Assyrian Empire's military tactics evolved to include the use of siege warfare, with brutal attacks on cities involving the use of fire, mobile ladders, ramps, and archers. They also employed four-wheeled wooden towers with turrets and battering rams to break down walls or force a city's surrender through prolonged siege.
What were some of the cultural and technological advancements during the Neo-Assyrian Empire?
-During the Neo-Assyrian Empire, there were advancements in the fields of medicine, with the formulation of systematic lists of plants and animals, and the establishment of schools, although these were reserved for the sons of the wealthy and elite. There were also developments in mathematics, astronomy, literacy, architecture, and the arts.
Outlines
š Rise and Fall of the Assyrian Empire
The video script introduces the Assyrian Empire, detailing its origins in northern Mesopotamia and expansion during the Neo-Assyrian period. It discusses the empire's early history, significant rulers, and the critical role of trade in its development. The script also covers the military's use of iron weapons, the empire's interactions with other civilizations such as the Hurrians, Hittites, and Babylonians, and the eventual decline and fall of the Assyrian Empire.
š Assyrian Expansion and Cultural Preservation
This section of the script delves into the Assyrian Empire's Middle Empire period, highlighting the influence of the Hurrians and Mittani, as well as the Assyrian kings' strategies for expansion and control. It discusses the innovative policy of population deportation to prevent rebellion, the importance of scribes and scholars in preserving knowledge, and the empire's continued growth and development under various rulers. The script also touches on the preservation of cultural knowledge and the impact of the Assyrian's military successes on the region.
š” Neo-Assyrian Empire: Height of Power and Military Tactics
The script describes the Neo-Assyrian Empire's period of greatest expansion, marked by ruthless and effective military tactics, including siege warfare. It outlines the empire's territorial growth, the establishment of schools reserved for the elite, and the decline in women's rights with the rise of Assyrian monotheism. The section also covers the empire's religious practices, the assimilation of conquered peoples' gods into the worship of Ashur, and the empire's eventual overextension and internal strife leading to its decline.
š Ashurbanipal's Legacy and the Fall of the Assyrian Empire
This part of the script focuses on the reign of Ashurbanipal, known for his extensive library and contributions to arts and culture, as well as his military campaigns. It discusses the empire's challenges under his successors, the eventual sack of Nineveh, and the empire's collapse. The script also highlights the importance of the discovery of Assyrian texts, which revolutionized our understanding of ancient Near Eastern culture, agriculture, and warfare.
š Conclusion and Invitation to Explore More
The final section of the script invites viewers to reflect on the significance of Ashurbanipal's library and the impact of archaeological discoveries on our knowledge of the ancient Middle East. It encourages viewers to share their thoughts and to follow the channel for more educational content. The script also promotes the World History Encyclopedia's website and merchandise shop, thanking viewers for their engagement.
Mindmap
Keywords
š”Assyrian Empire
š”Neo-Assyrian Empire
š”Ashurbanipal's Library
š”Cuneiform Tablets
š”Ironworking
š”Deportation Policy
š”Sennacherib
š”Babylon
š”Mittani
š”Akkadian Language
š”Nineveh
Highlights
The destruction of the Assyrian Empire led to the preservation of some of the world's most important ancient texts.
Assyria's history began in northern Mesopotamia and expanded through Asia Minor and Egypt during the Neo-Assyrian Empire.
The city of Ashur was an important center for commerce and laid the foundation for the Assyrian Empire.
Assyrian ironworking advancements provided a significant military advantage during their conquests.
The Assyrian king Shamashi Adad I secured Assyria's borders by driving out the Amorites.
Babylon's dominance over Assyria ended after the death of Hammurabi, allowing Assyria to reassert its regional control.
The Assyrian king Eriba Adad I gained influence in the Mittani court, leading to opportunities for expansion.
Adad Nirari I's rule marked the beginning of the Assyrian policy of deporting populations to prevent rebellion.
Tukulti-Ninurta I defeated the Hittites at the Battle of Nihriya, ending their power in the region.
Tiglath Pileser I revitalized the Assyrian economy and military, adding to the empire's resources and skilled populations.
The Neo-Assyrian Empire is known for its ruthlessness and cruelty during its period of greatest expansion.
Adad Nirari II recaptured lost lands and secured Assyria's borders, including the important region of Eber Nari.
The Assyrian method of siege warfare involved brutal tactics and the use of advanced military technology.
Ashurnasirpal II formulated the first systematic lists of plants and animals in the empire, contributing to medical knowledge.
Sennacherib moved the Assyrian capital from Ashur to Nineveh and improved the city with orchards and gardens.
Ashurbanipal's library at Nineveh revolutionized our understanding of the ancient Near East.
The Assyrian Empire's fall led to the rise of Babylon's supremacy in the region until its fall to the Persians.
The discovery of Ashurbanipal's library and other clay tablets provided insights into ancient myths, agriculture, and warfare.
Transcripts
Did you know that the destruction ofĀ the Assyrian Empire preserved someĀ Ā
of the most important ancient texts in the world?
Hello and welcome to World History Encyclopedia!Ā My name is Kelly and today's video will take youĀ Ā
through the rise of Assyria and the Neo-AssyrianĀ Empire, the prominent rulers, and the fall ofĀ Ā
their empire. Don't forget, the easiest way toĀ support us is by giving this video a thumbs up,Ā Ā
subscribing to our channel and hitting that bellĀ icon for notifications, so you don't miss out onĀ Ā
any new uploads. World History Encyclopedia isĀ a non-profit organisation and you can find us onĀ Ā
Patreon - a brilliant site where you can supportĀ our work and receive exclusive benefits in return.Ā Ā
Your support helps us create videos twice aĀ week, so make sure to check it out via theĀ Ā
pop-up in the top corner of the screen or viaĀ the Patreon link down below. Assyria has a longĀ Ā
history beginning in northern Mesopotamia andĀ then expanding during the Neo-Assyrian EmpireĀ Ā
from Mesopotamia through Asia Minor and downĀ through Egypt. The empire began in the city ofĀ Ā
Ashur and went through many different stages ofĀ expansion and sacking by a number of kingdoms,Ā Ā
including the Mittani, the Babylonians andĀ the Hittites. Stick around while we takeĀ Ā
you through the rise and fall and rise and fallĀ again of the Assyrian and Neo-Assyrian Empire.
Well, it only makes sense to start at theĀ beginning, and for the Assyrians that is inĀ Ā
the third millennium BCE, when the city of AshurĀ first emerged. However, the ruins that you can seeĀ Ā
if you visit the site today date to 1900 BCE whichĀ is now considered the date the city was founded.Ā Ā
After the first king, Tudiya, the followingĀ kings were known as "kings who live in tents,"Ā Ā
which suggests a pastoral community,Ā not an urban one. Despite this though,Ā Ā
the city of Ashur was already an important centreĀ for commerce and in circa 1900, the king ErishumĀ Ā
I built a temple to the god Ashur at the site. AnĀ important trade colony for sure was Karum Kanesh,Ā Ā
or the Port of Kanesh in Anatolia.Ā Merchants from Ashur travelled to Kanesh;Ā Ā
they would set up their business and afterĀ putting a trusted employee in charge,Ā Ā
then they would return to Ashur and superviseĀ business dealings from there. From the trade withĀ Ā
Karum Kanesh came a lot of wealth which meant thatĀ the people of Ashur had the stability and securityĀ Ā
to expand their city, and in doing this they laidĀ the foundation from their empire. The AssyriansĀ Ā
got a lot of their raw materials from AnatoliaĀ which made it an important trade relationship,Ā Ā
and with the iron from Anatolia, the AssyriansĀ were able to perfect the craft of ironworking.Ā Ā
The fact that the Assyrian military had ironĀ weapons would prove to be a major advantageĀ Ā
during their later campaigns and conquests, whileĀ expanding their empire. During the Old Kingdom ofĀ Ā
Assyria, there were the powerful civilisationsĀ of the Hurrians and the Hatti in AnatoliaĀ Ā
holding dominance, while Ashur, to the north ofĀ Mesopotamia, remained in their shadow. There wereĀ Ā
also the Amorites who were steadily expandingĀ and increasing their territory and resources.Ā Ā
It was under the Assyrian king Shamashi AdadĀ I, between 1812 and 1791 BCE, that the AmoritesĀ Ā
were driven out of the region and the bordersĀ of Assyria were secured. By circa 1700 BCE, theĀ Ā
Hatti were invaded by the Hittites and assimilatedĀ into their kingdom. While all this was going on,Ā Ā
there was another city that was slowly gainingĀ power and becoming a bit of a concern and thatĀ Ā
city was Babylon. Under Hammurabi, between 1792Ā and 1750, Babylon conquered Assyria and made itĀ Ā
their vassal state. Not only that, but at thisĀ time the trade between Ashur and Karum KaneshĀ Ā
came to an end and so Babylon became theĀ dominant kingdom in the region and tookĀ Ā
control of the Assyrian trade. I guess it'sĀ lucky for the Assyrians that after the deathĀ Ā
of Hammurabi in 1750 BCE, the BabylonianĀ Empire completely fell apart, and AssyriaĀ Ā
had the chance to reassert its dominanceĀ in the region around their city of Ashur.Ā Ā
Unfortunately, the kings of Assyria during thisĀ time didn't seem up to the task and their regionĀ Ā
fell into a period of civil war and instability,Ā until the Assyrian king Adasi. Adasi was able toĀ Ā
secure the region and his successor continued theĀ policies he introduced, but for whatever reason,Ā Ā
whether they were unwilling or unable, hisĀ successors did not work to expand their kingdom.
And now on to the Middle Empire, which begins inĀ the 15th century with the Hurrians from MittaniĀ Ā
sacking Ashur and making Assyria a vassalĀ state. The Mittani grew from eastern AnatoliaĀ Ā
and by the 14th century, they also heldĀ power in Mesopotamia. Mittani's power wasĀ Ā
broken by invasions by the Hittites, whoĀ replaced Mittani rulers with their own.Ā Ā
During this time, the Assyrian king Eriba Adad IĀ was able to gain influence in the Mittani court,Ā Ā
which was now mostly Hittite. The Assyrians saw anĀ opportunity for expansion and started to push theĀ Ā
boundaries of their region outward from Ashur andĀ into the regions previously held by the Mittani.Ā Ā
The Hittites didn't just let this expansionĀ happen though, and fought back against theĀ Ā
Assyrians and were able to keep them at bay untilĀ the Assyrian king Ashur-Uballit I defeated whatĀ Ā
was left of the Mittani forces under the HittiteĀ commanders. He was able to take pretty substantialĀ Ā
portions of the region and was succeededĀ by two kings who didn't lose the regions,Ā Ā
but also didn't expand any further, that was untilĀ Adad Nirari I who ruled between 1307 and 1275 BCE.Ā Ā
He's the first Assyrian king that we know anythingĀ about with certainty because he left inscriptionsĀ Ā
of his achievements, and it was under his ruleĀ that the Assyrian Empire drove out the HittitesĀ Ā
and the standard Assyrian policy of deportingĀ large portions of the population began. AdadĀ Ā
Nirari I thought that removing the occupants ofĀ the land he had conquered and replacing them withĀ Ā
Assyrians was a good way to prevent any futureĀ rebellion or uprising, but anyone deported wasĀ Ā
never in bonds and not everyone was displaced.Ā Deportees were chosen based on their talentsĀ Ā
and placed elsewhere in the empire whereĀ they could make the most of their skills,Ā Ā
and families weren't ever separated. ItĀ was when people resisted the presence andĀ Ā
policies of the Assyrians that they wereĀ killed or sold into slavery, but overall,Ā Ā
the populations were absorbed into theĀ Assyrian Empire and thought of as Assyrians.Ā Ā
Under Adad Nirari I's, son Shalmaneser I,Ā the destruction of the Mittani was completed,Ā Ā
and he also continued his father's policies andĀ relocations of large chunks of the population.Ā Ā
Shalmaneser I's son, Tukulti-Ninurta I, continuedĀ these policies as well, but took it even furtherĀ Ā
especially with his desire to preserve knowledgeĀ and cultures of the people he conquered.Ā Ā
He took more care in deporting people where theyĀ could be utilised; with scribes and scholars beingĀ Ā
relocated to urban centres where they couldĀ help with written works. In circa 1254 BCE,Ā Ā
Tukulti-Ninurta I defeated the Hittites at theĀ Battle of Nihriya, which pretty much ended HittiteĀ Ā
power in the region and initiated their period ofĀ decline. In response to Babylon making incursionsĀ Ā
into Assyria, he sacked Babylon, desecrated andĀ sacked their temples, and took both the kingĀ Ā
and some of their people to Ashur as slaves.Ā Since Babylon and Assyria shared many of the sameĀ Ā
deities, his sons and court officials rebelledĀ against him claiming that his sack of BabylonianĀ Ā
temples was an offence to their shared gods. HeĀ was assassinated, probably by one of his sonsĀ Ā
Ashur-Nadin-Apli, who then took the throne. AfterĀ the murder of Tukulti-Ninurta I, Assyria neitherĀ Ā
expanded nor declined, and while the Near EastĀ and beyond fell into a so-called 'dark age' withĀ Ā
civilisations completely collapsing followingĀ the Bronze Age Collapse in circa 1200 BCE,Ā Ā
Ashur and the Assyrian Empire remained intact.Ā When Tiglath Pileser I ascended the throne inĀ Ā
circa 1115 BCE, he revitalized the economy andĀ the military through his campaigns, which thenĀ Ā
added more resources and skilled populations toĀ the Assyrian Empire. Under Tiglath Pileser I,Ā Ā
the arts and literacy flourished and hisĀ preservation of cuneiform tablets would become theĀ Ā
model for Ashurbanipal's famous library at NinevehĀ later on. After Tiglath Pileser I died, his son,Ā Ā
Asharid-apal-ekur, ruled for two years and wasĀ succeeded by his brother Ashur-bel-Kala, who ruledĀ Ā
successfully in the beginning until the usurperĀ challenged him and initiated a civil war. TheĀ Ā
rebellion was crushed and the participants wereĀ executed, but during the turmoil, Assyria lost theĀ Ā
region of Eber Nari, which is modern-day Syria,Ā Lebanon and Israel. This was a bummer for AssyriaĀ Ā
because this region was important to the empireĀ due to their established seaports, all of whichĀ Ā
were now held by the Aramaeans. The AssyriansĀ were not only dealing with incursions fromĀ Ā
the Aramaeans, but the Amorites and the Mari wereĀ trying to free themselves from the empire's grasp.Ā Ā
The empire shrank under the following kings, andĀ although they maintained their city of Ashur,Ā Ā
they weren't able to take back Eber Nari or driveĀ the Amorites and Aramaeans from their borders.
The Neo-Assyrian Empire, also known as the LateĀ Empire, is the period of the greatest expansionĀ Ā
of the empire, and it's where their reputationĀ has come from for ruthlessness and cruelty.Ā Ā
Under the reign of King Adad Nirari II, betweenĀ circa 912 and 1891 BCE, he was able to recaptureĀ Ā
the lands lost during the Middle Empire,Ā including the important region of Eber Nari,Ā Ā
and their borders were securedĀ as their expansions continued.Ā Ā
Adad Nirari II conquered Babylon, but he learntĀ from his predecessors and instead of plunderingĀ Ā
the city, he entered into a peace treaty withĀ the king by marrying each other's daughters;Ā Ā
this meant that Babylon became a powerfulĀ ally rather than a problem to be dealt with.Ā Ā
The expansion continued under Adad NirariĀ II's successors with Tukulti Ninurta II,Ā Ā
who was king between 891 and 884 BCE, expandingĀ the empire towards Anatolia, and Ashurnasirpal II,Ā Ā
between 884 and 859 BCE, consolidating aĀ Syrian rule in the Levant through Canaan.Ā Ā
The method that afforded them soĀ many victories was siege warfare,Ā Ā
which was started with a brutal attack on theĀ city; they would light fires under wooden gates,Ā Ā
mobile ladders were used to cross moats andĀ ramps were used to breach high sections of wall,Ā Ā
and all of these actions were covered with archersĀ who made up the core of the Assyrian infantry.Ā Ā
After the initial assault, they would bring inĀ their four-wheeled wooden towers with turrets onĀ Ā
top and one or two battering rams at the base, andĀ either break down the walls or if the walls held,Ā Ā
lay siege to the city until it surrendered. ItĀ wasn't all about the expansion and conqueringĀ Ā
but also about other advancements, with theĀ notable one being in the field of medicine.Ā Ā
the Assyrians built on the foundation of SumerianĀ medical knowledge with king Ashurnasirpal IIĀ Ā
formulating the first systematic lists of plantsĀ and animals in the empire, who even brought hisĀ Ā
scribes with him on campaign to record newĀ findings. Plus, there was the establishmentĀ Ā
of schools, but these were reserved only forĀ the sons of the wealthy and the elite, sinceĀ Ā
girls weren't allowed to go to school and womenĀ weren't able to hold any position of authority.Ā Ā
The rights of women, who were once almostĀ equal in the early history of Mesopotamia,Ā Ā
steadily declined with the rise of AssyrianĀ monotheism. The Assyrians worshipped their godĀ Ā
Ashur only at the temple in the city but as theyĀ went on campaign their god Ashur went with them,Ā Ā
so this meant that they had to come up with a newĀ way of worshipping and imagining their god. TheĀ Ā
vision resulted in Ashur as the supreme deity andĀ as the Assyrians conquered peoples, they absorbedĀ Ā
the gods and religious practices of these peoplesĀ into their worship of Ashur. The Neo-AssyrianĀ Ā
Empire continued to grow as it became moreĀ cohesive with the spread of the worship of AshurĀ Ā
and the assimilation of conquered people. TheĀ region expanded up the coast of the Mediterranean,Ā Ā
where they received tribute from the PhoenicianĀ cities of Tyre and Sidon, and defeated theĀ Ā
Armenian kingdom of Urartu, under ShalmaneserĀ III. The expansion of the empire ceasedĀ Ā
after Shalmaneser III with his successor ShamshiĀ Adad V fighting with his brother for control andĀ Ā
inciting civil war, which was eventuallyĀ put down. The next king, Adad Nirari III,Ā Ā
was too young to assume the throne so his motherĀ Shammuramat, who was also known as Semiramis;Ā Ā
who later became a mythical goddess queen, heldĀ the throne and organised successful campaigns,Ā Ā
until her son came to age. She handed her son aĀ strong empire at the end of the 9th century BCE,Ā Ā
but his successors were happy to just chill outĀ and ride the wave of the earlier king's successĀ Ā
and the empire ceased to develop until theĀ eighth century under Tiglath Pileser III,Ā Ā
between 745 and 727 BCE. Tiglath Pileser IIIĀ reorganised the government and the military,Ā Ā
and these reforms allowed him to reassert controlĀ of the Assyrian Empire over his conquered regions,Ā Ā
including the kingdom of Urartu, which had risenĀ again and started to cause trouble. It was underĀ Ā
Tiglath Pileser III, that the Assyrian militaryĀ was at its most effective. Tiglath Pileser III wasĀ Ā
followed by Shalmaneser V between 727 and 722 andĀ then Sargon II between 722 and 705. Sargon II'sĀ Ā
rule was challenged by the Assyrian nobles whoĀ claimed that he had illegally seized the throne,Ā Ā
but their problems didn't seem to worry Sargon whoĀ brought the Neo-Assyrian Empire to its greatestĀ Ā
heights; completely conquering Urartu in 714 BCE,Ā sacking the city and bringing its vast wealth backĀ Ā
to Assyria. He was succeeded by Sennacherib, whoĀ was king between 705 and 681 BCE, who campaignedĀ Ā
widely and ruthlessly. Sennacherib's annals,Ā inscribed on what is known as the 'Taylor Prism,'Ā Ā
describes Sennacherib's military exploits inĀ his sacking of Jerusalem, where he claims thatĀ Ā
he captured 46 cities and overwhelmed the peopleĀ of Jerusalem after trapping them in their city.Ā Ā
Sennacherib grew the wealth of the empire withĀ his military victories and moved the AssyrianĀ Ā
capital from Ashur to Nineveh, where he improvedĀ the city and planted all sorts of orchards andĀ Ā
gardens. Sennacherib failed to learn from historyĀ though and decided to capture and sack Babylon,Ā Ā
and once again, his desecration of sacredĀ temples led to his assassination by his sons.Ā Ā
His son, Esarhaddon, claimed the throne andĀ ruled between 681 and 669 BCE. The firstĀ Ā
thing he did was rebuild Babylon, and underĀ his reign, the Assyrian Empire flourished,Ā Ā
especially with his success in conquering Egypt;Ā something Sennacherib tried and failed to do.Ā Ā
Esarhaddon's campaigns were successful and allowedĀ for stability in the empire, so that advancementsĀ Ā
could be made in areas like medicine, mathematics,Ā astronomy, literacy, architecture and the arts.Ā Ā
Esarhaddon died in the midst of preparingĀ a campaign against the Nubians, and he wasĀ Ā
succeeded by the last great Assyrian king,Ā Ashurbanipal. Ashurbanipal ruled between 668Ā Ā
and 627 BCE and was the most literate of theĀ Assyrian kings. This isn't surprising since heĀ Ā
is best known in the modern day for the hugeĀ library he collected at Nineveh. Although heĀ Ā
was a patron for arts and culture, he was just asĀ ruthless as the previous rulers in securing hisĀ Ā
empire. He defeated the Elamites and expanded hisĀ regions further east, and with his belief that itĀ Ā
was important to preserve the past, he sent envoysĀ to all of the lands under his control and had themĀ Ā
either copy or bring back books from the variousĀ towns and cities to Nineveh for his royal library.
Ashurbanipal died in 627 BCE, after rulingĀ effectively for 42 years. But in that time,Ā Ā
the regions dominated by the Assyrian EmpireĀ became too large, which made it difficult toĀ Ā
defend the borders and also meant the regionsĀ were overtaxed. His successors couldn't holdĀ Ā
all of the territories, and regions brokeĀ away with the vassal states revolting againstĀ Ā
the Assyrian dominance. In 612, Nineveh wasĀ sacked and burned by a group of Babylonians,Ā Ā
Medes, Persians and Scythians, among others,Ā which destroyed the palace and the library.Ā Ā
The Assyrians were so despised that their citiesĀ were all so thoroughly destroyed that within twoĀ Ā
generations no one knew where they had once beenĀ and they lay covered in sand for the next twoĀ Ā
thousand years. After the fall of Assyria, BabylonĀ assumes supremacy in the region from 605 until itsĀ Ā
fall to the Persians in 549 BCE, under CyrusĀ the Great, who founded the Achaemenid Empire.Ā Ā
Cyrus learned from history and did not repeat theĀ mistakes of the Assyrians; he instituted a moreĀ Ā
humane form of government, creating an even largerĀ empire and more stable one. Herodotus, the GreekĀ Ā
historian referred to the entirety of MesopotamiaĀ as 'Assyria,' and Herodotus' works were well-knownĀ Ā
to early scholars who therefore knew of Assyria'sĀ existence. When serious excavations began of theĀ Ā
fallen Assyrian cities in the 19th century,Ā thousands of clay tablets were discovered.Ā Ā
The fires that destroyed Nineveh and other citiesĀ baked the clay cuneiform tablets of Assyrian worksĀ Ā
and the broken walls covered them until theyĀ were discovered by modern-day archaeologists.Ā Ā
At first, no one could decipher them but theĀ Aramaic language turned out to be key. AkkadianĀ Ā
was the initial language of the Assyrians untilĀ Tiglath Pileser III introduced Aramaic, and withĀ Ā
the survival of Aramaic written language, it wasĀ used to decipher first Akkadian and then Sumerian.Ā Ā
Once the texts could be read, they were foundĀ to contain myths that inspired some of the mostĀ Ā
famous stories from the Bible, details on earlyĀ agriculture, architecture, beer brewing andĀ Ā
warfare, which previously were credited to laterĀ cultures. The discovery of Ashurbanipal's libraryĀ Ā
and those at other cities revolutionisedĀ our understanding of the ancient Near EastĀ Ā
and the development of culture, the arts andĀ religion of neighbouring civilisations as well.Ā Ā
Did you know about Ashurbanipal's library? WhatĀ do you imagine we'd think about the ancient MiddleĀ Ā
East if archaeologists hadn't discovered it? LetĀ us know what you think in the comments below!Ā Ā
If you enjoyed this video, makeĀ sure to give it a thumbs upĀ Ā
and subscribe to our channel so youĀ don't miss out on any of our new videos.
This video was brought to you by WorldĀ History Encyclopedia. For more greatĀ Ā
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