Iamblichus on the Mysteries of the Egyptians Chaldeans and Assyrians 1000239491
The Assyrians
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Transcript of The Assyrians
The Assyrians
The Beginning City of Nineveh discovered in 1932 by Sir Max
Mallowan of Britain Artifacts show that site was settled by 5000
B.C.E. 2 other great Assyrian cities settled very soon
after: Ashur and Arbel Arbel was one of the earliest permanent agricultural
settlements due to it’s rich corn fields By 2500 B.C.E. these three cities, Nineveh, Ashur
and Arbel, were all thriving metropoli
The Beginning By 2400 B.C.E. idea of complex societies
had spread from the Sumerians to other parts of Mesopotamia, including Assyria
One of the only civilizations that built walls around its settlements, which implies the risk of outside attacks and the need for warfare
Lived in the northern reaches of Mesopotamia
The Great Age (900-610 B.C.E.) 900 B.C.E. were the most feared people in
the region 725 B.C.E. Assyrians captured Israel and
deport Israelite nation to Mesopotamia 710 B.C.E. Sargon II moves the Assyrian
capital to Dur Sharrukin 689 B.C.E. Sennacherib sacks Babylon and
carries riches off to Ninevah
Great Age to Fall of Assyrian Empire 665 B.C.E. capture and destroy Thebes,
capital of Ancient Egypt 639 B.C.E. Assyrian kingdom reaches
greatest extent with the capture of Susa 612 B.C.E. Assyrian army defeated by
Medes and Babylonians joint effort 610 B.C.E. Fall of the city of Harran final
collapse of Assyria
Religion Ashurism was first religion Worshipped Ashur, The Creator of Universe Kings were high priests Believed that army belonged to the Ashur and all
those who did not submit were enemies Reason for rapid expansion
Tolerant of other gods as long as Ashur reigned supreme
Religious Temple
Politics Code of the Assura Government made up of a single king
Many of the monarchs were fierce leaders
Assyrian Empire regarded as the first real Empire in human history
As the empire grew, it was divided into local regions, governed by local rulers
Required to pay taxes and supply soldiers for the Army
Assyrian High Priest, Assyrian King
Bruitality Ancient Assyrians
blinding their captives. Assyrian artistic
portrayals are full with images of captives and opponents being skinned alive, blinded, impaled, and their limbs, ears, etc.
Daily Life Assyrian cities were contained within massive
walls The population was schooled in the psychology
of war The cities contained the palace complexes, as
well as temples and housing for the common people
Basic Assyrian homes were typically single stories with flat roofs, and made of mud brick
Ancient Assyrian City
Social Achievements Neo-Assyrian cuneiform is the final stage of
cuneiform writing Preserved some 30,000 ancient works of
Mesopotamian culture, myth, and literature Turned the Middle East into a melting pot
due to mass deportations Melted diverse religions, cultures, and languages
Nimurd Lens Piece of rock crystal
unearthed in 1850 from the Nimrud palace complex
Believed by many as a part of an ancient telescope Could explain accuracy
of Assyrian astronomy
Role Of Women Women could act
independently, buy and sell houses, act as a guardian for another person.
They could also become involved in court cases.
Much like Babylonians