History Extra podcast The Assyrians: everything you wanted to know
31 snips
Mar 2, 2025 
Paul Collins, a curator at the British Museum and author of "The Assyrians: Lost Civilizations," delves into the power and legacy of the Assyrian Empire. He explores their military innovations, cultural treasures, and the significant role of women in governance. Fascinatingly, Collins discusses the empire's religious practices and the wealth of knowledge preserved in Ashurbanipal's library. He highlights the threats to Assyrian heritage today and the deep connections modern communities have with this ancient civilization.
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Origins of the Assyrian Empire
- The Assyrian empire originated around 2800 BC in the city of Ashur, located in modern-day northern Iraq.
- Initially, they were merchants and traders but gradually developed into a powerful military empire.
Key Events in Assyrian History
- Key events in Assyrian history include Ashur-Uballit I's conquests in the 14th century BC, Ashurnasirpal II founding Kalhu in the 9th century BC, and Sennacherib moving the capital to Nineveh.
- Ashurbanipal's reign saw the empire's greatest extent, but also civil war, ultimately leading to its decline around 630 BC.
Assyrian Military and Administration
- While military innovation like iron weapons and chariots was important, the Assyrian Empire's true strength lay in its sophisticated administrative system.
- This system allowed them to effectively control diverse populations and vast territories.
