Blurb:

This chapter looks at how the Assyrians, a small 'nation' of farmers and herders on the upper Tigris river, were able to exploit a power vacuum caused by disarray among the traditional powers of the region and become a major force. The chapter covers their rise and fall. Topics discussed:


- Assyrian warfare


- Assurnasirpal II


- hunting wild animals


- civil war and decline


- administrative reforms under Tiglath-pileser III


- problems in the south


- the Sargonid Kings


- Sennacherib and Babylon


- Nineveh at the time of Sennacherib


- the conquest of Egypt


- Assurbanipal, zenith of power and the collapse of Assyria


- the great revolt


- Assyria on the defensive


- the library of Assurbanipal