Tessa's+Essay

The Fall of the Assyrian Empire Essay By: Tessa Strickland

Return The Assyrian empire endured for almost 300 years. During this time there were multiple kings, multiple capitals and many rises and declines in Assyrian power. The Assyrian empire eventually fell in 606 BC much to the delight of the powers whom they had been terrorising for centuries [1]. The Assyrians were a militaristic society: They spent most of their time and used much of their resources invading their neighbours. They formed few prosperous trading bonds and had a poor relationship with their opposing powers. Furthermore, their wars often lead to the destruction of their cities, and the weakening of social structure; this was key in the fall of the Assyrian empire. __One lesson that we can learn from the Assyrian Empire is that being a militaristic society isn’t beneficial in any way.__

The Assyrian Empire was primarily a militaristic society; they spent a lot of their time and resources invading the surrounding territories in order to gain more land for themselves. Unfortunately, this often came back in their faces when the same people who they had previously invaded, invaded them or revolted against them while they were still in their control. For example, just before the Assyrian empire collapsed completely, the leaders of the empires of Babylon and Media allied and proceeded to overtake Assyria [1]. King Sennacherib V was an oppressive king of the Assyrian Empire, so when the Chaldaeans attacked in Babylon, which the Assyrians had control of at the time, the Babylonians were pleased to be liberated and, instead of protecting the Assyrian empire, they welcomed the Chaldaeans. [1] A more modern example of when a militaristic leader has invaded other countries and subsequently failed is Nazi Germany during World War 2. Hitler invaded other countries in Europe and the Allies ultimately defeated him. The Assyrian empire eventually fell because of this militaristic attitude; they were ganged up on and invaded by the surrounding territories that they had been invading for the previous few hundred years.

The Assyrian empire had very few positive trading relationships with surrounding powers. The lack of archaeological evidence showing many trading relationships with the Assyrians might suggest that they relied on invading other territories to acquire resources, instead of forming trading bonds. There is strong archaeological evidence of a trade relationship with Kanesh, with whom they traded woolen cloth and tin for silver [6]. This was not a prosperous trading arrangement for everyone. The Assyrians were paying far less for the silver in Kanesh than anywhere else in Mesopotamia; this arrangement was exploited for 2 centuries [6]. When Kanesh was invaded by Assyria there was no longer any need for trade [4]. The Assyrians Empire may have lasted longer if they had formed trading relationships with their neighbours instead of invading them. A current example of how beneficial this is, is the trade relationship between Canada and the United States. 74% of Canada’s imports come from the United States and 86% of Canada’s exports go to the United States [7]. There are disputes that arise over this trade, for example the softwood lumber dispute that ended in 2006. This dispute was resolved my mediation, not violent conflict between the countries [9]. This is possible because of the strong trade relationship. If the Assyrians had formed strong trading relationships with their neighbouring powers, there may not have been reason to resort to violent conflict.

The Assyrians did not make as many scientific or artistic advances as other powers around the same area, such as the Sumerians. The Sumerians made many advances that are still relevant today; they were the foundation for modern geometry and timekeeping [8]. Being a militaristic society, the Assyrians invested most of their resources in warfare, instead of other areas such as science or art. Although the Assyrians did record the earliest reliable record of an eclipse, there was little else that makes an impression on society today [4].

In conclusion, the Assyrian empire may have been more successful, and may have survived longer if they had not been such a militaristic society. The Assyrian empire would have suffered fewer damages, used fewer resources and might have lasted longer if they had not been so concerned with invading their neighbours. As a peaceful society, forging strong relationships with their neighbours, they would have made more advances in other areas such as science and technology. Societies today will be much more successful if they form good bonds with other countries instead of attacking them.

__Works Cited__

1. Albright, William F. "Assyria." //Encyclopedia Americana//. 2009. Grolier Online. 30 Apr. 2009 <[]>. 2. Contenau, Georges. //Everyday Life in Babylon and Assyria//. Norwich: Fletcher and Son Ltd., 1969. Print. 3. Landau, Elaine. //The Assyrians//. Connecticut: The Millbrook Press, Inc., 1997. Print. 4. "**Assyria**." __Encyclopædia Britannica__. 2009. Encyclopædia Britannica Online. 30 Apr. 2009 <[]>.  5. Ribideau, Jacques. "Overview of Ancient Assyria.." __Overview of Ancient Assyria__ (July 2007): 1-1. __History Reference Center__. EBSCO. 9 May 2009 <[]>. 6. Hafford, William B. "The Importance TRADE.." __Calliope__ 15.1 (Sep. 2004): 28. __History Reference Center__. EBSCO. 9 May 2009 <[]>. 7. "Canada-U.S. Trade Relationship." //U.S. Commercial Service//. 2009. BuyUSA. 10 May 2009 . 8.Fowler, Robin. "Sumerian Invention and Innovation." //Suite101//. 2006. 10 May 2009 . 9. "Softwood Lumber Dispute." //CBC//. 2006. CBC. 10 May 2009 .