Assyrians came from northern Mesopotamia. Their geography made them susceptible to invasion. To survive the Assyrians developed their warlike behavior. Assyrian kings, like Sennacherib, built an empire from the Tigris River to central Egypt. The Assyrian military society used the skill of ironworking – created weapons that were superior. They also used new techniques in waging war that were very effective. They showed no mercy in their attacks.

By 650 B.C., the Assyrians had put together an empire that included almost all of the old centers of civilization and power in SW Asia. Conquered lands closest to them were ruled as provinces and were dependent territories. Assyrians had local governors report to a central authority. Lands acquired through military successes would bring in new sources of taxes and tribute. If conquered lands refused to cooperate their cities would be destroyed and their people exiled.

Assyrian kings were fearsome and yet they were also great builders. King Sennacherib established the Assyrian capital at Nineveh. Art found at Nineveh suggest the fascination of Assyrian’s with brutal military campaigns and the lion hunt. King Assurbanipal established one of the largest libraries in the ancient world at Nineveh – which included over 20,000 clay tablets from the Fertile Crescent including the Epic of Gilgamesh.

Assurbanipal was one of the last mighty Assyrian kings. In 612 B.C., a combined army of Medes, Chaldeans, and others burned and leveled Nineveh. The Chaldeans made Babylon their capital and it became the center of a new empire. Chaldean king, Nebuchadnezzar, restored the city which was famous for the Hanging Gardens, one of the wonders of the ancient world. Babylon was home to a 300 ft. high ziggurat where astronomers recorded the movement of the stars and planets forming the basis for astronomy and astrology. After Nebuchadnezzar’s death the empire fell, but the conquering Persians adopted many Assyrian military, political, and artistic inventions.