Fall of Civilizations Podcast
13. The Assyrians - Empire of Iron
Podcast summary created with Snipd AI
Quick takeaways
- The Assyrians built their empire out of the ashes of the Bronze Age, introducing iron weapons and expanding their territory through successful conquests.
- Assyrian culture believed in the presence of demons and spirits, leading to the use of exorcists and talismans to ward off evil.
- The Sargonid dynasty faced challenges from rebellions and backing from Egypt, but successfully reconquered rebellious kingdoms, securing the empire's survival.
- Senacharib's campaign against the kingdom of Judah highlighted the division of the Hebrew kingdoms and King Hezekiah's religious reforms.
- The downfall of the Assyrian empire was influenced by factors such as climate change, rebellion among subject peoples, and the rise of powerful adversaries like the Medes and Babylonians.
Deep dives
The Rise of the Assyrian Empire
Tiglath Pelasa reforms the Assyrian military, introduces iron weapons, and expands the empire through successful conquests. He captures Babylon and establishes an empire stretching from the Persian Gulf to the Mediterranean.
Life in Assyrian Cities
Assyrian cities like Nineveh bustled with trade, and the streets were filled with the sounds of merchants, craftsmen, and marketplaces. People lived in houses with roof terraces, and women performed household tasks there. The average citizen would have seen talismans, used cylinder seals for signing contracts, and drank beer.
Exorcisms and Belief in Demons
Assyrian culture believed in the presence of demons and spirits, often associated with bad smells. Exorcists were called upon to expel these spirits, and talismans were used to ward off evil. Ceremonial rituals were performed to protect against illness and disease caused by these spirits.
The Sargonid Kings and Family Drama
The Sargonid dynasty begins with Senacharib, who becomes the father and grandfather of the last two great kings of Assyria. The dynasty faces challenges, including rebellions from vassal states and backing from Egypt. Senacharib successfully reconquers the rebellious kingdoms and solidifies the empire's survival.
The Campaign Against the Kingdom of Judah
The podcast episode discusses Senacharib's campaign against the kingdom of Judah, highlighting the division of the Hebrew kingdoms and King Hezekiah's religious reforms.
The Siege of Lakish
The podcast explores the detailed account of the siege of Lakish by the Assyrians, describing the construction of siege engines and the fierce battle that ensued.
The Downfall of Assyria
The podcast delves into the factors that led to the downfall of the Assyrian empire, including climate change, rebellion among subject peoples, and the rise of the Medes and Babylonians as powerful adversaries.
The Miscalculated Vision of Esarhaddon
Esarhaddon, the Assyrian king, appoints his sons to rule over Babylon and Nineveh, hoping for a united empire. However, his miscalculation leads to disastrous consequences. A prophecy about his doom shakes him, and he becomes obsessed with omens and prophecies. Esarhaddon performs bizarre rituals, known as the substitute king, in an attempt to ward off evil spirits. Despite his efforts, he dies amidst a rebellion and deteriorating health, leaving his sons to ascend the thrones of Assyria and Babylon.
Ashurbanipal's Reign: The Golden Age and Challenges
Ashurbanipal, the king of Assyria, establishes a golden age and builds a vast library with over 30,000 clay tablets. However, challenges arise as Egypt rebels against Assyrian rule and the Elamite people become a thorn in the empire's side. Ashurbanipal successfully crushes the rebellions in Egypt but fails to fully integrate it into the empire. The Elamites, supported by Ashurbanipal's own brother, launch a surprise attack. Ashurbanipal eventually defeats them and his brother, resulting in the destruction of Babylon. He then turns his attention to Elam, waging a war of extermination and reducing the city of Susa to ruins.
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