Assyria 911-612 B.C.E

1. Assyria911-612 B.C.E Essential Question: Evaluate the factors contributing to the success of the Assyrian civilization.

2. Geography • North of Mesopotamia , current day northern Iraq • Hillier, greater rainfall, moderate climate

3. Politics • Exposure to invaders behind mountains forces farmers to build a military defense culture • Defeated all major kingdoms such as Babylon, Egypt and Phoenicia • Lead by king and central govt., military triumphs validated kings • First to lead an empire • Held army of 500,000 soldiers- indebted for land grants and slaves eventually replaced with professional soldiers • Succeeded with policy of ruthlessness, seizing riches and cruelty. • Sent people into exile, which helped spread cultural diffusion across the entire region. • Mass deportations to discourage rebellion (entire communities) • Provincial governors maintained stability

4. Intellect • One such thing was a new way of writing, on parchment, leather, or papyrus • They developed new medicinal and surgical treatments while some people still had the job of exorcising demons out of the sick • Library of Ashurbanipal-“House of knowledge” –tablets recording literary and science texts revealing the preservation of Mesopotamian achievements

5. Religion • Adapted religion from Sumerians (polytheistic) • Kings were center of the universe because gods chose ruler. He was also a military leader, commanded everyone, heard complaints and supervised state religion(rituals and upkeep of temples) • Riches used to expand religious capital-Fortress of Sargon

6. Art • Propaganda • -Relief sculptures recorded military strength, attacks, triumphs, executions, and deportation to instill fear in those who might resist • Lamassu from Fortress of Sargon

7. Technology • They were equipped with iron weapons and used a new military skill of cavalry (horseback) warfare • The Assyrians also had other contributions among them were great mathematical inventions; they were the first to invent longitude and latitude in geographical navigation • Iron tools and weapons • Dug tunnels and built mobile towers to facilitate attacks

8. Economy • Weighed silver was a common exchange before wide use of coins • Agricultural production helped trade • Paths of conquest also paved the routes for trade • Booty and taxes on paths of conquest subsidized economy • Merchant class thrived as a result of trade • Controlled gold and silver in conquests

9. Social Structure • 1. King • 2. High ranking officials (governors, all in fear of punishment for misbehavior and bribed with rewards such as land, booty),free citizens, professionals (priests, scribes, doctors, & artisans), farmers or artisans attached to king or landowner • 3. Slaves-POW or indebted • Helped spread cultural diffusion because everyone was considered Assyrian therefore allowing people to move about freely