What was the Neo-Assyrian Empire?
Q: What was the Neo-Assyrian Empire?
A: The Neo-Assyrian Empire was an empire in Mesopotamia during the Iron Age that existed from 911-609 BC. It was the largest empire in the world up to that time and is considered by many historians to be the first real empire in history.
Q: What techniques did it use?
A: The Neo-Assyrian Empire employed advanced, effective military tactics such as arming themselves with iron weapons and pioneering many tactics of imperialism which became normal in later empires.
Q: Who were its rivals?
A: Its rivals included Babylonia, Elam, Persia, Urartu, Lydia, the Medes, Phrygia, the Cimmerians, Israel, Judah, Phoenicia, the Neo-Babylonian Empire, Canaan, the Kushite Empire and Ancient Egypt.
Q: When did it begin to fall?
A: The Neo-Assyrian Empire began to fall in 631 BC when Ashurbanipal died and civil wars broke out. This allowed Cyaxares (King of Persia and Medes) to form an alliance with Nabopolassar (Ruler of Babylonia and Cimmerians) which led to their invasion of Assyria.
Q: How did Assyria respond?
A: In response to this invasion Assyria allied itself with Egypt but both fell at the Fall of Harran in 609 BC after a second siege on Harran ended Assyria's existence as an empire.
Q: Are there still Assyrians today?
A: Yes - there are still Assyrians living today in Iran Iraq and other places around the world.
