Assyrians

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Assyria/Assyrians

The empire of Assyria originated in northern Mesopotamia, with the heart of the Assyrian empire in the fertile plains around Arbil and Nineveh. The capital and royal residence was moved from Ashur to Nimrud around 880 BC, later to Khorsabad, and finally to Nineveh. These large capitals were dominated by a citadel containing temples and palaces, and a lower town containing the populous. Outside the citadel was an arsenal for housing military equipment and objects from foreign conquests. The royal palaces contained networks of halls and throne rooms with walls decorated with scenes showing Assyrian victories, ceremonial session, and lion hunts. Several entrances exhibit colossal lions and winged bulls.
The Assyrians dominated through military conquests. Much of the knowledge we have learned about Assyrian warfare is from palace reliefs. From these reliefs, we can distinguish that there were several types of infantry. Heavily armed lancers with mail coats and large shields, cavalry with horses covered in armor, chariots with drivers, and shield-bearers and archers pulled by two or three horses. Reliefs have also shown Assyrians digging tunnels, swinging battering rams, scaling ladders, plundering cities and carrying off prisoners and other items.

Stella placed throughout the empire proclaim of victories and achievements in building structures and irrigation works. Cities throughout the Levant and southern Palestine had to offer tribute to Assyria. The kingdom of Israel, which was established around 1,000 BC, was protected by fortress-cities and resisted Assyrian domination until the late 8th century when it too was conquered by the Assyrian army. Trade reached out to the Straits of Gibraltar to the east African coast. The only power that resisted Assyrian expansion was the highland kingdom of Urartu in Armenia. The Armenians were skilled in hydraulic and military technology, and known for very fine horses.
By the end of the 7th century BC, the enemies of Assyria joined forces and overthrew the empire. Both Nimrud and Nineveh, the last and greatest Assyrian capitals, were destroyed in 612 BC. In the southwest corner of the city of Nimrud was Fort Shalmaneser, the royal arsenal, which yielded a mass burial of people who were killed in the destruction.