The rise and fall of the Assyrian Empire - Marian H Feldman

TED-Ed

24 Apr 201805:16

EducationalLearning

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TLDRAncient Assyria, the first true empire, spanned from the 7th century BCE across the Middle East. Originating from Ashur, a trading center, it evolved into a military powerhouse known for its innovative siege tactics and administrative efficiency. The empire's legacy includes vast libraries, botanical parks, and a cultural heritage that influenced subsequent civilizations, setting a precedent for empires to come.

Takeaways

🏺 Ancient Assyria is considered the first true empire, setting the stage for future superpowers with its innovations.
🌍 At its peak, the Assyrian Empire covered vast territories including modern-day Iraq, Syria, Lebanon, Israel, and parts of Turkey, Iran, and Egypt.
📚 Assyria was known for its extensive library and large botanical and zoological park, showcasing its commitment to knowledge and culture.
🏙️ The city of Ashur, a trading center for tin and textiles, was the birthplace of the Assyrian Empire named after its同名 god.
👑 Around 1300 BCE, Ashur-uballit I, a high priest, took the title of king and initiated a series of military campaigns that expanded Assyria's reach.
🛡️ Assyrians were known for their military innovations, using siege tactics and severe punishments to subdue those who opposed them.
🌍 A strategy of population deportation and relocation was used to break local loyalties and integrate diverse cultures into the empire.
🛣️ The Assyrian Empire was characterized by well-maintained royal roads connecting cities and the frequent establishment of new capitals by successive kings.
👸 Women, such as Sammuramat, also held power in the Assyrian Empire, indicating a complex political and administrative system.
🎨 Assyrian rulers celebrated their military victories through art, carving representations into the walls of their palaces.
📚 The library of Ashurbanipal, containing clay tablets inscribed with works in Akkadian and Sumerian, was a testament to Assyria's dedication to preserving and expanding knowledge.

Q & A

Why is Assyria considered the first true empire by historians?
-Assyria is considered the first true empire because its innovations laid the groundwork for future superpowers, demonstrating advanced administration, military strategies, and cultural preservation, setting standards for efficient governance and expansion.
What were the geographical boundaries of the Assyrian Empire at its peak in the 7th century BCE?
-At its height in the 7th century BCE, the Assyrian Empire covered modern Iraq, Syria, Lebanon, Israel, parts of Turkey, Iran, and Egypt.
What significant contributions to culture and science were made by the Assyrian Empire?
-The Assyrian Empire's significant contributions include the establishment of a vast library, the creation of large botanical and zoological parks, and the support of scholars in various fields, from medicine to magic.
How did Ashur-uballit I transform Assyria around 1300 BCE?
-Around 1300 BCE, Ashur-uballit I, initially a high priest, declared himself king and initiated military campaigns, transitioning Assyria from a city-state to a territorial state, thereby overseeing a larger domain and diverse cultures.
What was the impact of the mysterious catastrophe in the 12th century BCE on Assyria?
-The mysterious catastrophe in the 12th century BCE led to the loss of much of Assyria's territory, marking a significant setback for the empire before it later resumed conquests and expansion.
How did the Assyrian Empire ensure the loyalty of conquered territories?
-The Assyrian Empire ensured loyalty by deporting local populations and redistributing them across the empire to break their bonds with their homelands and disrupt local loyalties, thus weakening potential resistance.
What were some of the military innovations and tactics employed by the Assyrians?
-Assyrians were known for their military innovations, including siege tactics, and were also notorious for their cruel punishments, such as impalement and flaying, to instill fear and suppress opposition.
How did Assyrian rulers utilize architecture and art within their empire?
-Assyrian rulers built new cities, palaces, and temples, often decorating them lavishly with carvings and artworks that celebrated their military conquests, showcasing their power and cultural achievements.
Who was Sammuramat, and what role did she play in the Assyrian Empire?
-Sammuramat was a queen who ruled the Assyrian Empire, indicating that despite the empire's militaristic and patriarchal image, women could hold significant power and influence within its political structure.
How did the Assyrian Empire contribute to the preservation of ancient literary works?
-One of Assyria's final rulers, Ashurbanipal, initiated efforts to gather and copy ancient literary works throughout Babylonia, resulting in the preservation of masterpieces like the Epic of Gilgamesh and the Babylonian Creation Epic, thanks to his library.

Outlines

00:00

🏺 Rise of the First True Empire: Ancient Assyria

This paragraph introduces the ancient Assyrian Empire, considered the first true empire in history, predating the British Empire, Genghis Khan's conquests, and the Roman Empire. It highlights Assyria's vast territories across the Middle East, including modern-day Iraq, Syria, Lebanon, Israel, and parts of Turkey, Iran, and Egypt, and its remarkable achievements such as a vast library and large botanical and zoological park. The story begins in the Late Bronze Age with the city of Ashur, a trading center that gave the empire its name and identity. The paragraph also discusses the intertwining of politics and religion in Assyria, the transformation from a city-state to a territorial state through military campaigns, and the empire's resilience and growth despite a mysterious catastrophe in the 12th century BCE. The administrative and military innovations of the Assyrians, including siege tactics and population displacement, are noted as key factors in their dominance. The paragraph concludes with the Assyrian Empire's eventual fall to the Babylonians and Medes but emphasizes the lasting impact of their innovations on subsequent empires.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Assyria

Assyria was an ancient empire located in what is now modern Iraq, Syria, Lebanon, Israel, and parts of Turkey, Iran, and Egypt. It is considered by historians to be the first true empire and laid the groundwork for subsequent superpowers. The empire was known for its innovations in administration, military tactics, and infrastructure, which set the standard for future empires.

💡Ashur

Ashur was a city in northern Iraq and the original capital of the Assyrian Empire. It was a significant trading center for tin and textiles and was located along the Tigris River. The city shared its name with a god, who was believed to be an embodiment of the city and later, the entire empire. The rise of Assyria to dominance began in this city during the Late Bronze Age.

💡Military Innovations

Assyrians were known for their military innovations, which included the use of siege tactics and cruel punishments for their enemies, such as impalement and flaying. These tactics not only helped them conquer vast territories but also instilled fear in those they opposed, thereby maintaining control over their empire.

💡Administrative System

The administrative system of the Assyrian Empire was a sophisticated structure that allowed a single entity to oversee many places, cultures, and peoples. This system was crucial in managing the empire's vast territories and ensuring efficient governance. It included a network of courtiers, provincial officials, and scholars who influenced the affairs of the state.

💡Cultural Traditions

Cultural traditions in the Assyrian Empire were diverse and rich, influenced by the regions they conquered. The Assyrian rulers were interested in preserving and promoting these traditions, especially those from Babylonia, a separate state to the south known for its millennia-old cultural heritage.

💡Infrastructure

Infrastructure in the Assyrian Empire refers to the physical and organizational structures that facilitated the empire's functioning and growth. This included well-maintained royal roads connecting cities, and the construction of new capitals and palaces. The emphasis on infrastructure was a key factor in the empire's ability to maintain control and administer its territories effectively.

💡Assyrian Kings

The Assyrian Kings were the rulers of the Assyrian Empire who claimed absolute power. They were known for their military campaigns and the expansion of the empire. However, they were also patrons of the arts and culture, and their rule was influenced by an extensive system of courtiers, provincial officials, and scholars.

💡Sammuramat

Sammuramat was a notable figure in Assyrian history who ruled the kingdom, making her an exception in a predominantly male-dominated society. Her rule highlights the complexity and diversity of leadership within the Assyrian Empire.

💡Ashurbanipal

Ashurbanipal was one of the final rulers of the Assyrian Empire. He is known for his contributions to the cultural and intellectual legacy of the empire, particularly through his extensive library, which contained clay tablets inscribed with ancient literary works in Akkadian and Sumerian.

💡Fall of the Assyrian Empire

The fall of the Assyrian Empire refers to the period between 612 and 609 BCE when the empire was conquered by the Babylonians and Medes. Despite its collapse, the innovations and administrative practices established by the Assyrians continued to influence subsequent empires in the region and around the world.

💡Clay Tablets

Clay tablets were a form of writing material used in ancient Mesopotamia, including the Assyrian Empire. They were made from clay and inscribed with cuneiform script, which allowed for the recording of literature, laws, and administrative records. The use of clay tablets was crucial for the preservation and transmission of knowledge in the ancient world.

Highlights

Assyria is considered the first true empire by historians.

The Assyrian Empire's innovations laid the groundwork for all subsequent superpowers.

At its peak in the 7th century BCE, it covered parts of modern Iraq, Syria, Lebanon, Israel, Turkey, Iran, and Egypt.

Assyria boasted remarkable wonders such as a vast library and extensive botanical and zoological parks.

The empire's origins trace back to Ashur, a city-state turned territorial state under Ashur-uballit I around 1300 BCE.

Assyria experienced territorial loss in the 12th century BCE due to a mysterious catastrophe.

A resurgence in conquests centuries later was marked by refined administrative systems and military innovations.

Assyrians employed brutal military tactics and a strategy of population deportation to maintain control over conquered areas.

New capitals and constructions flourished with each new Assyrian king, showcasing their absolute power yet also revealing a system influenced by courtiers, officials, and scholars.

Sammuramat, a notable female ruler, emerged within the Assyrian political landscape.

Assyrian kings were as interested in cultural preservation, especially of Babylonia's traditions, as they were in military conquests.

The empire supported scholars in various fields, from medicine to magic, highlighting its intellectual as well as military prowess.

Ashurbanipal's efforts in collecting ancient literary works culminated in a library that, despite its destruction, preserved crucial texts like the Epic of Gilgamesh.

The fall of the Assyrian Empire to the Babylonians and Medes marked the end of centuries of rule but not the end of its influence.

The legacy of Assyrian innovations in administration, infrastructure, and constant innovation continued to set standards for empires that followed.

Transcripts

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The rise and fall of the Assyrian Empire - Marian H Feldman

Takeaways

Q & A

Why is Assyria considered the first true empire by historians?

What were the geographical boundaries of the Assyrian Empire at its peak in the 7th century BCE?

What significant contributions to culture and science were made by the Assyrian Empire?

How did Ashur-uballit I transform Assyria around 1300 BCE?

What was the impact of the mysterious catastrophe in the 12th century BCE on Assyria?

How did the Assyrian Empire ensure the loyalty of conquered territories?

What were some of the military innovations and tactics employed by the Assyrians?

How did Assyrian rulers utilize architecture and art within their empire?

Who was Sammuramat, and what role did she play in the Assyrian Empire?

How did the Assyrian Empire contribute to the preservation of ancient literary works?