The Assyrian Empire

Abstract

AbstractThis chapter discusses the political history of the Assyrian Empire from its initial expansion under Shalmaneser III (858–824 bc) to its final collapse in 612 bc at the hands of the Babylonians and Medes. It traces the development of the empire through several phases: a supposedly “feudal” phase (ca. 830–745 bc), in which expansion slowed and then reversed; a formative era (744–705 bc), which saw renewed expansion and administrative reform under Tiglath-pileser III and Sargon II; and finally an era of unchallenged hegemony (704–652 bc) encompassing the reigns of Sennacherib, Esarhaddon, and the early reign of Ashurbanipal. The war between Ashurbanipal and his brother Šamaš-šumu-ukin of Babylon (652–648 bc) is considered a pivotal event of the seventh century bc which contributed to the empire’s eventual collapse.