Assyria

Region of north Mesopotamia centered on the Upper Tigris in modern Iraq. The name derives from Ashur, an early city-state that was seized by Shamshi-Adad (c.1800 BC), who established a short-lived empire (the Old Assyrian period). The Akkadian dynasty, which ruled Assyria from about 1600 BC, were vassals of Mittani or Babylon until Ashuruballit I overthrew Mittanian domination in about 1330 BC. This began the Middle Assyrian empire (c.1330-1076 BC), which at its greatest extent under Tukulti-Ninurta I (r.1243-1207 BC) controlled Mesopotamia and dominated most of the Levant, Anatolia and Elam. The empire collapsed in the face of Aramaean invasions. The Neo-Assyrian empire (c.911-612 BC), the period of Assyria's greatest expansion and cultural achievement, was initiated by Adad-nirari II (r.911-891 BC) and maintained by a series of powerful kings. The empire reached its greatest extent under Ashurbanipal (668-627 BC), but disintegrated after his death and was destroyed by the Medes and Babylonians in 612 BC. Assyrian imperialism is notable for its military innovations (the mass production of iron weaponry, huge professional armies and mass cavalry tactics), and its extreme ruthlessness (the use of terror and resettlement of conquered populations). The Assyrians are also noted for their architecture and sculpture.