Assyria

By Kayleigh Junk and Ryan Pritchett

GeographyGeography

North MesopotamiaNorth Mesopotamia Reaches west to the Euphrates river Reaches west to the Euphrates river

and east to Lake Urmi (now Iran).and east to Lake Urmi (now Iran). Approximately the size of KansasApproximately the size of Kansas Major Cities- Ashur (original capital), Major Cities- Ashur (original capital),

Nineveh (later capital), and Kalakh.Nineveh (later capital), and Kalakh. Taurus and Zagros mountains Taurus and Zagros mountains

Agriculture

• Rich corn fields made Arbel one of the earliest agricultural settlements.

• Livestock- Pigs, sheep, goats, cattle

• Crops- Wheat, barley, corn

• Tools- Stone axes and hoes

• Small villages connected by an intricate irrigation system

Government StructureGovernment Structure

These city-states are organized into These city-states are organized into the Assyrian empire (circa 5,000 the Assyrian empire (circa 5,000 B.C.E.)B.C.E.)

Kings rule united empire, usually Kings rule united empire, usually trying to expand the boundariestrying to expand the boundaries

Temporarily ruled by vassal kings of Temporarily ruled by vassal kings of Babylonia Babylonia

Each province had a king-anointed Each province had a king-anointed governer. governer.

Social StructureSocial Structure

King> Local Rulers> Merchants> King> Local Rulers> Merchants> Soldiers> Artisans> Farmers> SlavesSoldiers> Artisans> Farmers> Slaves

There were fewer slaves than in most There were fewer slaves than in most other early civilizations, they played a other early civilizations, they played a small role in the economysmall role in the economy

A vast majority of population were farmersA vast majority of population were farmers

Family Organization/ Family Organization/ Gender Gender

StructureStructure Earliest legal documents of Assyria show men and Earliest legal documents of Assyria show men and

women equal in marriagewomen equal in marriage The Code of Assura (1075 B.C.E.) shows how The Code of Assura (1075 B.C.E.) shows how

women’s rights dramatically droppedwomen’s rights dramatically dropped Children were considered property to father until Children were considered property to father until

they came of agethey came of age From around 700 B.C.E. women had to wear veils From around 700 B.C.E. women had to wear veils

outsideoutside Men could divorce women with no compensation, aMen could divorce women with no compensation, a

Religious BeliefsReligious Beliefs Ashurism was the main religionAshurism was the main religion Polytheistic, gods represent natural Polytheistic, gods represent natural

circumstances important to Assyrianscircumstances important to Assyrians Gods are humanlike; prone to mortal mistakesGods are humanlike; prone to mortal mistakes Nearly identical to Babylonian religionNearly identical to Babylonian religion A small population of Hebrews (they were A small population of Hebrews (they were

exported)exported)

Population Growth and DeclinePopulation Growth and Decline

The population increased greatly when The population increased greatly when Shalmaneser III conquers surrounding Shalmaneser III conquers surrounding lands including Kummuh, Urartu lands including Kummuh, Urartu Rassappa, and Babylonia (856 B.C.E.)Rassappa, and Babylonia (856 B.C.E.)

Population has mass decline when Population has mass decline when Medes and Babylonia ally against Medes and Babylonia ally against Assyria and defeat Ashur-Uballit in a Assyria and defeat Ashur-Uballit in a three year war. (612 B.C.E.)three year war. (612 B.C.E.)

Disease• They believed that Spiritual, Mental, and

Physical health are interconnected.• Illness= Not favored by the gods• “Physicians” used herbs, magical stones,

and rituals to cure or prevent sickness.• One must make amends with the god that

was offended in order to heal.

MigrationsMigrations

• Migration to Assyria from Balkan Peninsula in 1200 B.C.E.

• Sargon II sent Hebrews out, 28,000

• Israelites become “Ten Lost Tribes of Israel” 721 B.C.E.

Ten Lost Tribes

WAR• The empire collapsed

and relapsed many times

• The first civilization to make military a central focus.

• Used psychological warfare to deter enemies of the king from attacking.

• Extremely gruesome punishments to warn other empires

Weaponry

• The first to use iron spears, swords, shields, arrows, and battering rams

• Bronze weapons useless against iron.

• Advanced cavalry units• Hand propelled catapults • Vehicles with armor

protection

TradeTrade

►Metals were imported Antolia/ArmeniaMetals were imported Antolia/Armenia►Tin imported from northwestern Iran Tin imported from northwestern Iran ►Lumber imported from the westLumber imported from the west►Opening new trade routes was often Opening new trade routes was often

the cause of war.the cause of war.►Assyrian and Babylonian empires Assyrian and Babylonian empires

profited greatly from mutual trade.profited greatly from mutual trade.

The ArtsThe ArtsPolychrome stone carvings on Polychrome stone carvings on

monumentsmonumentsArt usually concerns royal affairs, Art usually concerns royal affairs,

hunting, and war makinghunting, and war makingAnimal depictions of horses and lionsAnimal depictions of horses and lionsSkillful pottery and clay makingSkillful pottery and clay makingWinged beasts with bearded human Winged beasts with bearded human

heads protect royal gatewaysheads protect royal gateways

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/2/2c/Human_headed_winged_bull_facing.jpg

Writing System• The earliest writing form

found in Assyria is Akkadian, which is written with cuneiform on clay tablets

• Later, leather and papyrus were used as surfaces for writing

• More modern system is called Neo-Syriac.

• Both forms read left to right.

Literature/Sacred Writing

• Assyrians studied from Babylonian texts• Historians have discovered some epic

poems about religion and war• Songs were used for entertainment• There are inscriptions from the kings

which would make them into legends• They preserved a library of over 30,000

clay tablets!?!?!?

The End