Mesopotamian WarInformation about the ancient Mesopotamians’ way of fighting a war.By Rhys

Introduction

The ancient Mesopotamian warfare was a pioneering system that combined military technology and technique. The system inspired other ancient civilizations such as the Egyptians, the Persians, the Medes, etc.

Background

• The Fertile Crescent was a natural rich food-growing area where most of the land was too dry for farming.

• Ancient Mesopotamians fought for the control of the two rivers, the Tigris and the Euphrates.

Background cont’

• They fought for all things good:– Transportation– Irrigation– Security (Offense is best defense!)– Economic gain (More land, timber, stone, metal;

more prisoners, slaves, tax.)– Spirituality (War was considered a divine mission

to get more followers to their national god.)

Background cont’

• The constant warfare between city-states spurred the development of weapons and technique.

Technology And Inventions

• Chariot - the military application of the wheel.– Considered as one of the

major military innovations in history.

– Pulled by wild asses.– For battlefield

transportation. Not built for speedy attacks.

Technology And Inventions cont’

• Battering ram – heavy log carried by many men and wheels to break down city walls.– Wheels allowed men to move the

heavy logs quicker and easier.– Sophisticated design – archers are

placed above to attack from a high level.

Technology And Inventions cont’

• Iron – sturdy material that the Assyrians used to make weapons.– Iron is stronger than copper and

tin.– The Hittites developed the

process of smelting and the Assyrians borrowed that skill.

– The Assyrians’ power was partly owed to their stronger weapons.

Technique and strategy

• Army organization – well-organized attacks, not rushed dog-fights.– Spearmen would come first, who were

equipped with copper helmets, leather shields, short spears and heavy cloaks.

– Followed by chariots, loaded with supplies and ammunition.

– Lastly, infantrymen armed with sickle-swords came to the battle.

Technique and strategy Cont’

• Professional soldier – a year-round career.– Assyrian farmer-soldiers used to fight only in the

summer, when they didn’t need to worry about planting and harvesting. But it changed later.

Technique and strategy cont’

• Political alliances – found allied city-states to help them in war and arguments.– When two city-states have an argument over land

and canals, they will find a third neutral city to be the arbitrator.

– So the city-states formed unions to support each

other!

Technique and strategy cont’

• Propaganda – conquering without fighting.– Assyrian warriors were very cruel, they spread

death and destruction to other city-states .– They also spread out stories of their own

cruelty.– Enemies were so frightened, they

surrendered without a fight.

How Did Mesopotamian war change the world today?• The chariot was a vehicle for transportation

and attack on the battlefield. It resembles a tank in the modern times.

• Even nowadays, being a soldier is still a job.

• With alliances, countries and states will have each other checked. The balance of power can create peace.

• Organization like the United Nations serves as an arbitrator in disputes between countries.

How Did Mesopotamian war change the world today?

• Propaganda is basically the same thing as advertisements. Even nowadays, we are often brainwashed to act or believe.

How Did Mesopotamian war change the world today?

Resources • http://

library.thinkquest.org/J002807/Time%20and%20Time%20Again/Time%20and%20Time%20Again/mesoassyr.html

• http://www.mesopotamia.co.uk/warfare/home_set.html• The Cartoon History of the Universe Volume 1-7 by Larry Gonick• http://joseph_berrigan.tripod.com/ancientbabylon/id46.html• Mr. Dowling’s Study Sheet on Mesopotamia• http://oi.uchicago.edu/OI/MUS/ED/TRC/MESO/warfare.html