3. Overview
One of the earliest civilizations in the middle
east, spanning over 6,750 years
Had advanced agriculture techniques with
canals, aqueducts and irrigation systems
Society was based on military rule - had
written laws, paved roads, and trained
military troops and cavalry. They are
considered to be the first world empire
Assyrians spoke the unique languages,
Aramaic (the language spoken by Jesus
Christ) and Akkadian.
Were the first people to convert to
Christianity
Credited with creating plumbing, chariots,
the magnifying glass, and the postal system.
It is also the first time iron is used, and the
first record of written music
4. Timeline
-250 (5,000 B.C.) - The earliest known settlement in Neneveh
0 (4,750 B.C.) - First temple of Ashur is built - marks the
beginning of the Assyrian calender
2250 (2500 B.C.) - The three main cities of Assyria (Ashur, Arbel
and Nineveh) are all thriving
2379 (2371 B.C.) - Sargon of Akked, rises to power. Establishes
the first Assyrian kingdom in Mesopotamia
3443 (1307 B.C.) - Adad- Narari establishes the first Assyrian
empire
3635 (1115 B.C.) - Tiglath- Pileser established the second
Assyrian empire. Armeanean invansion begins
3816 (934 B.C.) - Ashur- Dan II creates the Neo-Assyrian empire.
Unifies the Middle East from Egypt to the Caspian Sea (between
modern Iraq, Iran and Kazakhstan) This helped found
Christianity, Islam and the rise of the Persians. - Considered to be
their greatest achievement.
5. 3998 (752 B.C.) - Aramaic is made the official language of the
empire
4138 (612 B.C.) - Neo-Assyrian empire collapses under an attack
from the Medes, Scythians, and Babolynian tribes
4141 (6909 B.C.) - The Assyrian empire ends.
4250 (500 B.C.) - Persians take power
4400 (350 B.C.) - Assyrians try to reestablish power and fail
4750 (0 A.D.) - Christ is born
4950 (200 A.D.) - Last known Ashur
worshippers. All Assyrians are Christian.
5350 (358 A.D.) - School of Nisibis is
established. First university in the world
5150 (400 A.D.) - Association with
Greece and the Greek church - great
exchange of knowledge and culture
6. Ancient Assyrian Religion
Throughout the empires history, the Assyrians practiced two
major religions: Ashurism and Christianity.
Practiced Ashurism until 256 A.D.
The first group of people to accept Christianity.
The Assyrian Church was founded in 33 A.D. by Thomas,
Bortholoemew, and Theddeus.
7. Ashurism
National religion until 256 A.D.
Derived from Ashur- Assyrian God
Major Gods of Ashurism:
Anu- The Sky God, father and kings of the Gods
Ellil- "Lord Atmosphere" city God of Nippur (Sumerian sacred
city & religious center). Presides the assembly of the God, carries
out decisions & exercises sovereign authority.
Ea-(Enki, Nudimmud) God of the waters.
Ishtar-(Ishhara, Irnini, Inanna) Goddess of love, procreation, and
war.
8. Relation of Assyrian Government and
Religion
Assyrian King was representation of God on Earth
Assyrian government portrayed itself as the symbol of the heavens
on Earth.
High officals wore stamp seals which depicted emblems of God or
religious motifs
9. Assyrian Government
Seleucid - First ruler of Assyria to
use coins
The upper class were the ones who owned land and made political
decisions; almost entirely made up of military commanders.
(*Assyrian Army was the largest standing army ever seen in the
Middle East or Mediterranean for their time. They invented iron
swords, lances, metal armor, and battling rams.)
The main form of government present in Assyria was Monarchy.
Tiglath-Pileser the third introduced the idea of centralization; he
conquered provinces and organized them under a bureaucracy, at
the head of which was the king. Each district payed a fixed tribute
(taxes) and provided a certain number of men for the military.
10. Overall Economics
Overall Economics
9000 BC people began to settle
down and create communities
and settlements,and began to
create an economic enviorment
with surrounding settlements.
One of the first places if not the
first place cattle were being
traded and domesticated.
Assyrian's traded a random
assortment of items, Bronze,
Wheat, Dyes (for clothing.)
Assyrians documented all of
their business transactions in
some of the first libraries in the
world
11. Archeology
The earliest discovered site of the Assyrian people was of the city
of Nineveh ( -250/ 5000 B.C.). Discovered by the British
Archelogist Sir Max Mallowan. Dug nearly 90 feet deep beofre
finding pottery and other evidence. The find proved that the site
had already been inhabited long before the dates of the pottery.
Therefore, Assyira is one of the oldest nations and cultures that
are still alive today.
