Assyria

=Ancient Society - Ancient Assyria =

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Ancient Assyria
Assyria was one of the great ancient kingdoms of the Mesopotamian region.

It was centred on an area north of Babylon on the Tigris River - a valuable position for trade and communications routes.

Assyrian territorial expansion began under **Tiglath-Pileser I** (1105-1070 BC). In the 9th Century BC further expansion was achieved under **Adadnirari II** (911-891 BC), **Ashurnasirpal II** (883-859 BC) and his son **Shalmaneser III** (858-824 BC).

In 879 BC the capital was moved from Ashur to **Nimrud** (Calah). The palace was excavated by Sir Henry Layard.

These early Assyrian conquests were not consolidated and by the mid-8th Century BC Assyrian territory had returned to its original size.

The Great Kings of Assyria: 745-612 BC


From 745 BC, the Assyrians expanded once more under a series of great kings, who were able to consolidate and control a large empire for over one hundred years. This period involves almost constant fighting to maintain control of their territory - it is only that there was a succession of strong and capable kings that allowed the Assyrian Empire to last as long as it did.

The capital of Assyria was moved from Nimrud to **Khorsabad** by Sargon II.

Sennacherib established a new capital at **Nineveh**.

During this period, despite the constant warfare, there were also major cultural and architectural achievements - notably the palace at Nineveh.


 * **Tiglath-Pilaser III** || (745-727 BC) ||
 * **Shalmaneser V** || (727-722 BC) ||
 * **Sargon II** || (722-705 BC) ||
 * **Sennacherib** || (704-681 BC) ||
 * **Esarhaddon** || (681-669 BC) ||
 * **Ashurbanipal** || (669-627 BC) ||

Collapse of the Empire came quickly after the death of Ashurbanipal. The Babylonians and Medians joined forces to attack the Assyrians. The capital, Nineveh, was destroyed in 612 BC.