Assyria is one of the first empires in the world, a civilization that originated in Mesopotamia. Assyria dates back to the 24th century and has existed for almost two millennia.

Assyria in ancient times

Assyria was one of the most powerful empires in the 1st millennium BC. e., its heyday and golden age occurred precisely during this period. Until this time it was a simple state in the north

Mesopotamia, which was mainly engaged in trade, since it was located on important trade routes.

Assyria was then subject to attacks by nomads such as the Arameans, which led to the decline of the state in the 11th century BC. e.

In total, historians roughly divide into three periods:

• Old Assyrian;
• Middle Assyrian;
• Neo-Assyrian.

In the latter, Assyria becomes the world's first empire. In the 8th century, the golden age of the empire began, when it was ruled by King Tiglath-pileser III. Assyria crushes the state of Urartu. At the end of the 8th century, she subjugates Israel, and in the 7th century she also captures Egypt. When Ashurbanipal became king, Assyria subjugated Media, Thebes, and Lydia.
After the death of Ashurbanipal, Assyria could not resist the onslaught of Babylon and Media, and the end of the empire came.

Where is ancient Assyria now?

Now Assyria as a state does not exist; in the 21st century, the following countries are located on the territory of the former empire: Iraq, Iran and others. The peoples of the Semitic group live on its territory: Arabs, Jews and some others. The dominant religion in the territory of former Assyria is Islam. The largest territory belonging to Assyria is now occupied by Iraq. Now Iraq is on the brink civil war. On the territory of Iraq there is a diaspora of those ancient Assyrians who founded the world's first empire, which conquered almost the entire Arabian Peninsula (Interfluve).

What does the territory of Assyria look like in modern times?

Now the world, according to some data that has not been confirmed, is inhabited by about a million Assyrians. IN modern world they do not have their own state, they inhabit Iran, Iraq, the USA, Syria, there are also small diasporas in Russia and Ukraine. Modern Assyrians primarily speak Arabic and Turkish. And their ancient native language be on the verge of extinction.
Modern Assyria is not a state, but only one million descendants of the ancient Assyrians, who carry the unique Assyrian culture and folklore.

• The history of Assyria, briefly described in this article, is full of conquests. It was one of the states of antiquity that played a significant role in the development of the history of Mesopotamia. Initially, Assyria was not a strong power - the state of Assyria occupied a small territory, and throughout its history its center was the city of Ashur. The inhabitants of Assyria mastered agriculture and grew grapes, which was facilitated by natural irrigation in the form of rain or snow. They also used wells for their needs, and by building irrigation structures, they managed to put the Tigris River at their service. In the drier eastern regions of Assyria, pastoralism was more common, facilitated by the abundance of green meadows on the mountain slopes.

• The first period is called Old Assyrian. While most of the common population of Assyria was engaged in cattle breeding and agriculture, in the city of Ashur, through which the main trade routes passed, along which trade caravans passed from Asia Minor and the Mediterranean to Mesopotamia and Elam. All this was allowed

• Assyria, and first of all, its ruler. At the border of the 2nd and 3rd millennia, Ashur was already trying to establish his own trading colonies, and began to conquer the colonies of neighboring states.
  The country of Assyria was a slave state, but during this period the tribal system, from which society had already moved away, still left its influence. The king owned a large number of lands and farms, and the priesthood also took control of no less. However, the community owned most of the land in the state.

• In the 20th century BC. the state of Mari gained power near the Euphrates, and traders from the country of Assyria lost most of their profits, which was also facilitated by the resettlement of the Amorites in Mesopotamia. As a result, the army of Assyria, which at that time had developed progressive siege weapons, headed west and south. During these wars, the northern cities of Mesopotamia and the state of Mari itself submitted to Assyria. It was then that not just a state was formed, but the entire kingdom of Assyria, which was one of the most influential forces in the ancient Near East.
  The rulers of the state eventually realized how large of an area they had captured, so the state of Assyria was completely reorganized.

• The tsar headed a huge government apparatus, concentrated judicial power in his hands and became the supreme commander in chief. The territory of the state was divided into khalsums, which were led by governors elected by the king. The population was obliged to pay taxes to the royal treasury and perform certain labor duties. Professional warriors began to be recruited into the army, and in some cases militia were used. The Old Assyrian period ended in decline - the state of the Hittites, Egypt and Mitanni undermined the influence of Assyria in their markets.

• This was followed by the Middle Assyrian period, during which the kingdom of Assyria tried to restore its influence. In the 15th century, Assyria entered into an alliance with Egypt, as a result of which the power of Babylonia was shaken. Soon, King Ashur-uballit 1 installed his entourage on the Babylonian throne. Mitanni fell, a hundred years later Assyria captured Babylon, and sent successful expeditions to the Caucasus. However, wars were so frequent and continuous that in the 12th century BC. The Assyrian Empire weakened. Half a century later, the situation improved a little, but later the Arameans invaded Western Asia, capturing Assyria and settling on its territory, and there was no historical information left about the 150-year period from that moment.

• The Assyrian Empire reached its greatest prosperity and achievements in the third period of its existence (the New Assyrian period), spreading its influence from Egypt to Babylon and part of Asia Minor. However, old enemies were replaced by new ones - in the 6th century BC. Assyria was unexpectedly attacked by the Medes, who betrayed the alliance. The undermined power of Assyria played into the hands of Babylon, which in 609 BC. captured the last territories belonging to the Assyrian state, after which it left the world forever.

Culture

Art

Of course, one of the most developed states of the ancient Near East was Assyria. And, while Assyrian troops roamed the expanses of neighboring countries, annexing and capturing them, the art of Assyria developed and improved in the largest cities. However, its origins should be sought in even more ancient times....

Cities

Throughout almost the entire history of the cities of Assyria, the first of which was Ashur, they were the center of culture and trading activities the entire region. Ashur was the capital of Assyria, and remained so until the destruction of the Assyrian state under the blows of the Babylonians. The city was named after the supreme deity of the Assyrian pantheon - Ashur. Most likely, it was built on the site of ancient settlements....

Capital

Capital of Assyria for most of its history ancient empire was located in the city of Ashur, also known as Assur. It was he who gave the name to the entire state.

Map of Assyria

The ancient state of Assyria was one of the most influential in the Middle East. The map of Assyria was constantly changing, as its kings continually carried out conquests and annexed new lands. There were also conquests from outside.

King of Assyria

Unlike ancient Akkad and Egypt, the king (queen) of Assyria was never revered as a god.

Territory

The territory of Assyria throughout the existence of this state was constantly changing, since the Assyrians themselves constantly waged wars of conquest, and their neighbors carried out raids every now and then.

Rulers of Assyria

Initially, the rulers of Assyria did not play a decisive role in the state. In the early stages of the history of the city of Ashur, and the state formed around it, the king was only the highest dignitary of the priesthood, and was in charge of only some issues in the city, and in wartime could lead troops.

Wars

In the early period of its existence, Assyria was not a warlike state. It developed due to active trade, and for a long time was under the dominion of other civilizations.

Laws

The laws of Assyria throughout history have been characterized by brevity and extreme cruelty.

Gods

The inhabitants of Ancient Mesopotamia worshiped a single pantheon of gods, only sometimes different nations The names and powers patronized by their deities were somewhat different. The gods of Assyria were no exception to this rule.

Army

The army of Assyria was one of the most powerful in its time. Assyrian generals were masters of siege warfare, and they used a variety of tactics in battle.

Fall of Assyria

The Assyrian Empire, which existed for almost one and a half thousand years, at the end of the 6th century BC. was destroyed.

Religion

The religion of Assyria was closely connected with the entire religious cult that was professed by the peoples of Mesopotamia.

Geographical location of Assyria

The area along the Euphrates and Tigris rivers was extremely favorable for the peoples living here.

River in Assyria

The main river in Assyria, which played an important role in the development of the state, is called the Tigris.

Conquest of Assyria

Assyria was engaged in constant conquest throughout most of its history.

Architecture

Between the 11th and 7th centuries BC. Assyria became the most powerful slave state in Western Asia.

Writing

Historians have been able to learn a lot about the writing of Assyria thanks to numerous clay tablets found in the ruins of ancient cities.

Achievements

Undoubtedly, Assyria was one of the most powerful states in the history of Ancient Mesopotamia. Its history lasted almost 1.5 thousand years, during which a small new state turned into a powerful empire.

Reliefs

In the 9th century BC. During the reign of King Ashurnasirpal II, Assyria reached the greatest prosperity in its history.

Assyria – ancient civilization, which originated in the territory of the “Fertile Crescent” or, more simply, Mesopotamia. Assyria existed as an independent state for two thousand years.

History of Ancient Assyria

Assyria begins its existence in the 24th century BC. e. and exists until the end of the 7th century BC. e.

History is divided into three periods:

• Old Assyrian period (XXIV – XVI centuries BC);
• Middle Assyrian (XV – XI centuries BC);
• Neo-Assyrian (X – 7th centuries BC).

History of Ancient Assyria: Old Assyrian Period

At this time, the Assyrians founded the city of Ashur, which became their capital, which was also the name of their state. The country was predominantly engaged in trade, since Ashur was located on important trade routes.
Historians know very little about this period, and Assyria itself did not exist, and Ashur was part of Akkad. In the 18th century, Babylon conquers Ashur.

Middle Assyrian period

In this period, Assyria finally gained independence and pursued an active foreign policy aimed at capturing the territories of Northern Mesopotamia.
In the middle of the 15th century, Assyria was freed from the encroachments of Mitanni. Already in the 13th century, Assyria as an empire was fully formed. In the XIV - XIII centuries. wage war with the Hittites and Babylon. In the 12th century, the decline of the empire began, however, when Tiglath-pileser I (1114 - 1076 BC) came to power, it began to flourish again.
In the 10th century, the invasion of the Aramean nomads began, which led to the decline of Assyria.

Ancient books of Assyria

Neo-Assyrian period

It begins only when she manages to recover from the Aramean invasion. In the 8th century, the Assyrians founded the world's first empire, which lasted until the end of the 7th century. This period marked the golden age of Assyria. The newly created empire defeats Urartu, conquers Israel, Lydia, and Media. However, after the death of the last great king Ashurbanipal great empire could not resist the onslaught of Babylon and the Medes. Divided between Babylon and Midea, it ceases to exist.

Capital of Ancient Assyria

The capital of Assyria was. It begins its existence back in the 5th millennium BC. e., in the 8th century. BC e. - during the time of Ashurbanipal. This time is considered to be the heyday of Nineveh. The capital was a fortress with an area of ​​more than 700 hectares. Interestingly, the walls reached a height of 20 meters! It is impossible to say exactly the population size. During the excavations, the palace of Ashurbanipal was found, on the walls of which hunting scenes were depicted. The city was also decorated with statues of winged bulls and lions.

As you know, the country in the north of which the Assyrian state arose is Mesopotamia, also called Mesopotamia. It received this name due to its location in the valley of the Tigris and Euphrates rivers. Being the cradle of such powerful states of the Ancient World as Babylonia, Sumer and Akkad, it played an important role in the formation and development of world civilization. As for his most warlike brainchild - Assyria, it is considered the first empire in the history of mankind.

Geographical and natural features of Mesopotamia

In my own way geographical location Ancient Mesopotamia had two significant advantages. Firstly, unlike the arid regions surrounding it, it was located in the zone of the so-called Fertile Crescent, where winter period There was a significant amount of rainfall, which was very favorable for agriculture. Secondly, the soil in this region was replete with deposits iron ore and copper, highly valued since people learned to process them.

Today, the territory of Mesopotamia - the ancient country in the north of which the Assyrian state arose - is divided between Iraq and North-Eastern Syria. In addition, some of its regions belong to Iran and Turkey. Both in antiquity and during the period modern history this Central Asian region is an area of ​​frequent armed conflicts, sometimes creating tension in all international politics.

Warlike daughter of Mesopotamia

According to researchers, the history of Assyria goes back almost 2 thousand years. Formed in the 24th century BC. e, the state existed until the beginning of the 7th century, after which, in 609 BC. e., fell under the onslaught of the armies of Babylon and Media. The Assyrian power is rightfully considered one of the most warlike and aggressive in Ancient world.

Having begun her aggressive campaigns in the first half of the 9th century, she soon managed to conquer a vast territory. Not only all of Mesopotamia came under the rule of its kings, but also Palestine, Cyprus and Egypt, which, however, after a short time managed to regain independence.

In addition, the Assyrian power controlled certain areas of what is now Turkey and Syria for many centuries. That is why it is commonly considered an empire, that is, a state that relies in its foreign policy on military force and expands its own borders at the expense of the territories of the peoples it has captured.

Colonial policy of Assyria

Since the country in the north of which the Assyrian state arose was completely conquered by it at the beginning of the 9th century, the next 3 centuries are nothing more than a period of their general history, replete with many dramatic pages. It is known that the Assyrians imposed tribute on all conquered peoples, to collect which they periodically sent armed detachments.

In addition, all skilled artisans were driven to the territory of Assyria, thanks to which it was possible to raise the level of production to unprecedented heights at that time, and with cultural achievements to influence all surrounding peoples. This order was maintained for centuries by the most brutal punitive measures. All those dissatisfied were inevitably doomed to death or, at best, to immediate deportation.

Outstanding politician and warrior

The peak of the development of the Assyrian state is considered to be the period from 745 to 727 BC. e., when it was headed by the greatest ruler of antiquity - King Tiglath-Pileser III, who went down in history not only as an outstanding commander of his time, but also as a very far-sighted and cunning politician.

It is known, for example, that in 745 BC. e. he responded to the call of the Babylonian king Nabonassar, who asked for help in the fight against the Chaldean and Elamite tribes that occupied the country. Having introduced his troops into Babylonia and expelled the invaders from it, the wise king managed to win such ardent sympathy from the local residents that he became the de facto ruler of the country, pushing their hapless king into the background.

Under the rule of Sargon II

After the death of Tiglath-pileser, the throne was inherited by his son, who went down in history under the name of Sargon II. He continued to expand the borders of the state, but, unlike his father, he resorted not so much to skillful diplomacy as to rude military force. For example, when in 689 BC. e. An uprising broke out in Babylon, which was under his control, and he razed it to the ground, sparing neither women nor children.

A city returned from oblivion

During his reign, the capital of Assyria, and in fact of the entire Ancient Mesopotamia, became the city of Nineveh, mentioned in the Bible, but for a long time considered fictitious. Only excavations by French archaeologists carried out in the 40s years XIX century, allowed us to prove its historicity. It appeared sensational discovery, since until then even the location of Assyria itself was not known exactly.

Thanks to the efforts of researchers, it was possible to discover many artifacts that testify to the extraordinary luxury with which Sargon II equipped Nineveh, which replaced the former capital of the state - the city of Ashur. It became known about the palace he built and the powerful defensive structures that surrounded the city. One of the technical achievements of that era was the aqueduct, raised to a height of 10 meters and supplying water to the royal gardens.

Among other finds of French archaeologists were clay tablets containing inscriptions in one of the languages ​​of the Semitic group. Having deciphered them, scientists learned about the campaign of the Assyrian king Sargon II to the southwestern part of Asia, where he conquered the state of Urartu, as well as the capture of the Northern Kingdom of Israel, which was also mentioned in the Bible, but was questioned by historians.

Structure of Assyrian society

From the first centuries after the formation of the state, the Assyrian kings concentrated in their hands the fullness of military, civil and religious power. They were at the same time supreme rulers, military leaders, high priests and treasurers. The next level of the vertical power was occupied by provincial governors, who were appointed from among the military.

They were responsible not only for the loyalty of the peoples living in the conquered territories, but also for the timely and complete receipt of the established tribute from them. The bulk of the population were farmers and artisans, who were either slaves or workers dependent on their masters.

Death of an Empire

By the beginning of the 7th century BC. e. the history of Assyria has reached highest point its development, followed by its unexpected collapse. As mentioned above, in 609 BC. e. The territory of the empire was invaded by the combined troops of two neighboring states - Babylonia, which was once under the control of Assyria, but managed to gain independence, and Media. The forces were too unequal, and, despite desperate resistance to the enemy, the empire, long time which held all of Mesopotamia and the lands adjacent to it under its obedience, ceased to exist.

Under the rule of the conquerors

However, Mesopotamia - the country in the north of which the Assyrian state arose - did not retain the status of a politically independent region for long after its fall. After 7 decades, it was completely captured by the Persians, after which it was no longer able to revive its former sovereignty. From the end of the 6th to the middle of the 4th century BC. e. this vast region was part of the Achaemenid power - the Persian empire, which subjugated all of Western Asia and a significant part of Northeast Africa. It received its name from the name of its first ruler - King Achaemen, who became the founder of a dynasty that was in power for almost 3 centuries.

In the middle of the 4th century BC. e. Alexander the Great expelled the Persians from the territory of Mesopotamia, incorporating it into his empire. After its collapse, the homeland of the once formidable Assyrians fell under the rule of the Hellenistic monarchy of the Seleucids, who built a new Greek state on the ruins of the former power. These were truly worthy heirs of the former glory of Tsar Alexander. They managed to extend their power not only to the territory of the once sovereign Mesopotamia, but also to subjugate all of Asia Minor, Phenicia, Syria, Iran, as well as a significant part of Central Asia and the Middle East.

However, these warriors were destined to leave the historical stage. In the 3rd century BC. BC Mesopotamia finds itself in the power of the Parthian kingdom, located on the southern shores of the Caspian Sea, and two centuries later it is captured by the Armenian emperor Tigran Osroen. During the period of Roman rule, Mesopotamia broke up into several small states that had different rulers. This last stage its history, dating back to the period of Late Antiquity, is remarkable only in that the largest and most famous city of Mesopotamia was Edessa, repeatedly mentioned in the Bible and associated with the names of many prominent figures Christianity.

The first empire of the Ancient World was Assyria. This state existed on the world map for almost 2000 years - from the 24th to the 7th century BC, and around 609 BC. e. ceased to exist. The first mentions of Assyria were found in ancient authors such as Herodotus, Aristotle and others. The Assyrian kingdom is also mentioned in some books of the Bible.

Geography

The Assyrian kingdom was located in the upper reaches and stretched from the lower reaches of the Lesser Zab in the south to the Zagras Mountains in the east and the Masios Mountains in the northwest. At different eras of its existence, it was located on the lands of such modern states as Iran, Iraq, Jordan, Israel, Palestine, Turkey, Syria, Cyprus and Egypt.

More than one capital of the Assyrian kingdom is known to centuries-old history:

1. Ashur (the first capital, located 250 km from modern Baghdad).
2. Ekallatum (the capital of upper Mesopotamia, was located in the middle reaches of the Tigris).
3. Nineveh (located in modern Iraq).

Historical periods of development

Since the history of the Assyrian kingdom occupies too long a period of time, the era of its existence is conventionally divided into three periods:

• Old Assyrian period - XX-XVI centuries BC.
• Middle Assyrian period - XV-XI centuries BC.
• New Assyrian kingdom - X-VII centuries BC.

Each period was characterized by its own internal and foreign policy states, monarchs from various dynasties were in power, each subsequent period began with the rise and flourishing of the statehood of the Assyrians, a change in the geography of the kingdom and a change in foreign policy guidelines.

Old Assyrian period

The Assyrians came to the territory of the Euphrates River in the middle of the 20th century. BC BC, these tribes said. The first city they built was Ashur, named after their supreme deity.

During this period, there was no single Assyrian state yet, so the largest ruling nome was Ashur, who was a vassal of the kingdom of Mitania and Kassite Babylonia. The nome retained some independence in the internal affairs of the settlements. The Ashur nome included several small rural settlements led by elders. The city developed quite quickly thanks to successful geographical location: it was through it that trade routes passed from the south, west and east.

It is not customary to talk about the monarchs ruling during this period, since the rulers did not have all the political rights characteristic of bearers of such status. This period in the history of Assyria was highlighted by historians for convenience as the prehistory of the Assyrian kingdom. Before the fall of Akkad in the 22nd century BC. Ashur was part of it, and after its disappearance it became independent for a short period of time, and only in the 21st century BC. e. was captured by Ur. Only 200 years later, power passes to the rulers - the Ashurians, from this moment the rapid growth of trade and commodity production begins. However, this situation within the state did not last long, and after 100 years Ashur loses its significance as a central city, and one of the sons of the ruler Shamsht-Adad becomes its governor. Soon the city came under the rule of the king of Babylon, Hammurabi, and only around 1720 BC. e. The gradual flourishing of the independent Assyrian state begins.

Second period

Starting from the 14th century BC, Assyrian rulers were already called kings in official documents. Moreover, when addressing the Pharaoh of Egypt, they say “Our brother.” During this period, there was active military colonization of the lands: invasions were carried out on the territory of the Hittite state, raids on the Babylonian kingdom, in the cities of Phenicia and Syria, and in 1290-1260. BC e. The territorial formation of the Assyrian Empire ends.

A new rise in the Assyrian wars of conquest began under King Tiglath-pileser, who was able to capture Northern Syria, Phenicia and part of Asia Minor; moreover, the king sailed several times on ships to the Mediterranean Sea to show his superiority over Egypt. After the death of the conquering monarch, the state begins to decline, and all subsequent kings can no longer preserve the previously captured lands. The Assyrian kingdom was pushed back to its native lands. Documents from the period XI-X centuries BC. e. has not survived, which indicates decline.

Neo-Assyrian kingdom

A new stage in the development of Assyria began after the Assyrians managed to get rid of the Aramaic tribes that came to their territory. It is the state created during this period that is considered to be the first empire in human history. The protracted crisis of the Assyrian kingdom was stopped by the kings Adad-Nirari II and Adid-Nirari III (it is with his mother Semiramis that the existence of one of the 7 wonders of the world - the Hanging Gardens - is associated). Unfortunately, the next three kings could not withstand the blows of an external enemy - the kingdom of Urartu, and carried out an illiterate domestic policy, which significantly weakened the state.

Assyria under Tiglapalaser III

The real rise of the kingdom began in the era of King Tiglapalasar III. While in power in 745-727. BC e., he was able to seize the lands of Phenicia, Palestine, Syria, the kingdom of Damascus, and it was during his reign that the long-term military conflict with the state of Urartu was resolved.

Successes in foreign policy are due to the implementation of domestic political reforms. Thus, the king began the forced resettlement of residents from the occupied states, along with their families and property, to his lands, which led to the spread of the Aramaic language throughout Assyria. The king solved the problem of separatism within the country by dividing large areas into many small ones led by governors, thus preventing the emergence of new dynasties. The tsar also took up reforming the militia and military colonists, which was reorganized into a professional regular army, which received salaries from the treasury, new types of troops were introduced - regular cavalry and sappers, special attention was paid to the organization of intelligence and communications services.

Successful military campaigns allowed Tiglath-pileser to create an empire that stretched from the Persian Gulf to Mediterranean Sea, and even be crowned as the king of Babylon - Pulu.

Urartu - a kingdom (Transcaucasia), which was invaded by Assyrian rulers

The kingdom of Urartu was located on the highlands and occupied the territory of modern Armenia, eastern Turkey, northwestern Iran and the Nakhichevan Autonomous Republic of Azerbaijan. The heyday of the state occurred at the end of the 9th - mid-8th century BC; the decline of Urartu was largely contributed to by the wars with the Assyrian kingdom.

Having received the throne after the death of his father, King Tiglath-Pileser III sought to return control of the Asia Minor trade routes to his state. In 735 BC. e. In the decisive battle on the western bank of the Euphrates, the Assyrians were able to defeat the army of Urartu and advance deeper into the kingdom. The monarch of Urartu, Sarduri, fled and soon died, leaving the state in a deplorable state. His successor Rusa I was able to establish a temporary truce with Assyria, which was soon broken by the Assyrian king Sargon II.

Taking advantage of the fact that Urartu was weakened by the defeat received from the Cimmerian tribes, Sargon II in 714 BC. e. destroyed the Urartian army, and thus Urartu and the kingdoms dependent on it came under the rule of Assyria. After these events, Urartu lost its significance on the world stage.

Politics of the last Assyrian kings

The heir of Tiglath-pileser III was unable to retain in his hands the empire founded by his predecessor, and over time, Babylon declared its independence. The next king, Sargon II, in his foreign policy was not limited to the possession of only the kingdom of Urartu, he was able to return Babylon to the control of Assyria and was crowned as the Babylonian king, and he also managed to suppress all the uprisings that arose on the territory of the empire.

The reign of Sennacherib (705-680 BC) was characterized by constant confrontation between the king and the priests and townspeople. During his reign former king Babylon again tried to restore its power, this led to the fact that Sennacherib brutally dealt with the Babylonians and completely destroyed Babylon. Dissatisfaction with the tsar's policies led to a weakening of the state and, as a result, outbreaks of uprisings; some states regained independence, and Urartu regained a number of territories. This policy led to the murder of the king.

Having received power, the heir to the murdered king Esarhaddon first set about restoring Babylon and establishing relations with the priests. Regarding foreign policy, the king managed to repel the Cimmerian invasion, suppress the anti-Assyrian uprisings in Phenicia and undertake a successful campaign in Egypt, which resulted in the capture of Memphis and ascension to the throne of Egypt, but the king was unable to maintain this victory due to unexpected death.

The last king of Assyria

The last strong king of Assyria was Ashurbanipal, known as the most competent ruler of the Assyrian state. It was he who collected a unique library of clay tablets in his palace. His reign was characterized by a constant struggle with vassal states wishing to regain their independence. During this period, Assyria fought with the kingdom of Elam, which led to the complete defeat of the latter. Egypt and Babylon wanted to regain their independence, but as a result of numerous conflicts they failed. Ashurbanipal managed to spread his influence to Lydia, Media, Phrygia, and defeat Thebes.

Death of the Assyrian Kingdom

The death of Ashurbanipal marked the beginning of the turmoil. Assyria was defeated by the Median kingdom, and Babylon gained independence. The united forces of the Medes and their allies in 612 BC. e. was destroyed main city Assyrian kingdom - Nineveh. In 605 BC. e. At Karchemish, the Babylonian heir Nebuchadnezzar defeated the last military units of Assyria, thus the Assyrian Empire was destroyed.

Historical significance of Assyria

The ancient Assyrian kingdom left behind many cultural and historical monuments. Many bas-reliefs with scenes from the life of kings and nobles, six-meter sculptures of winged gods, a lot of ceramics and jewelry have survived to this day.

A great contribution to the development of knowledge about the Ancient World was made by the discovered library with thirty thousand clay tablets of King Ashurbanipal, where knowledge on medicine, astronomy, engineering was collected, and even the Great Flood was mentioned.

Engineering was at a high level of development - the Assyrians were able to build a water canal and an aqueduct 13 meters wide and 3 thousand meters long.

The Assyrians were able to create one of the strongest armies of their time, they were armed with chariots, battering rams, spears, warriors used trained dogs in battles, the army was well equipped.

After the fall of the Assyrian state, Babylon became the heir to centuries-old achievements.