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The Assyrian Conquerors

The Assyrian Conquerors. CHW3M. The Lord said,"... But Nineveh has more than a hundred and twenty thousand people who cannot tell their right hand from their left, and many cattle as well. Should I not be concerned about that great city?" (Jonah 4:10). The Rise of the Conquerors.

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The Assyrian Conquerors

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  1. The Assyrian Conquerors CHW3M The Lord said,"... But Nineveh has more than a hundred and twenty thousand people who cannot tell their right hand from their left, and many cattle as well. Should I not be concerned about that great city?" (Jonah 4:10)

  2. The Rise of the Conquerors While the Mesopotamian civilizations were the oldest (3500 BC), and Egypt was the longest lasting (as a main power, 3100-605 BC), the Assyrian Empire was the most powerful civilization the world had ever known (911-612 BC). A Power Vacuum During Egyptian dominance, Assyria had been growing increasingly powerful. Two things contributed to Assyrian dominance: Fall of the competing civilizations – Kassites (Babylon), Hittites (Egypt’s competition), Egypt Spread of the Iron Age (no longer monopolized by Hittites)

  3. The Rise of the Conquerors

  4. Development of Assyria • 3000 BC: City-State of Ashur formed (Assyrians born) • Egypt (+Babylon, Hittites) dominant for a long time • 1247 BC: Assyrians sack Babylon • Tiglath-Pileser I conquers 42 cities (?), hunts sharks • Tiglath-Pileser III founds real Assyrian Empire • Conquers Babylon, subjugates Hebrews • Deports 200,000 rebels – new policy

  5. Development of Assyria • Sargon II crushes Israel (but not Judah) • Sennacherib crushes Judah (but not Jerusalem – tribute or divine intervention?) • Also levels Babylon – shocking! • Later kings invade Egypt – enormous empire • 612 BC: Ninevah destroyed by New Babylonians (Chaldeans)

  6. War Machine • “Reign of Terror”: Horrible reputation for cruelty discouraged opposition • Rebellion punished by razing cities • Leaders would be tortured and killed • Flaying, live burials, crucifixion common • Assyria was a military powerhouse for several reasons: • Organization: specialized army • Chariots: giant, four-men chariots formed core of army • Calvary: armed with bow and lance • Infantry: made heavy use of archers and lancers

  7. This relief represents part of a scene from a marble slab discovered at Khorsabad. The Assyrian king is using a spear to blind one of his many prisoners. In his left hand he holds a cord with a hook attached at the opposite end which are inserted into the prisoners lips. The Assyrians would thrust the point of a dagger or spear into the eye.

  8. Society and Culture • Society • Run by military despotism • King rules by army • Like Egypt, but with more force/violence • Most people required to serve in army for some time (“ilku service”) • Code of law very brutal • Repressive towards women • Cutting off ears, noses, limbs common • Capital punishment decided by victim’s family (nasty) • Culture • Religious system based on worship of Ashur (founder, chief God) • King functioned as high priest • No respect for foreign Gods (uncommon) • Did have strong culture: • Enormous library in Nineveh • Incredibly realistic art (unparalleled until Romans)

  9. Downfall • Too inhuman? • Cruelty of the Assyrians ultimately united their enemies against them • 612 BC, Babylonians made alliance with Persia • Joint force completely destroys Nineveh – God’s judgement?

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