The Assyrian military was the most effective – and feared – fighting force in the Near East, especially during the time of the Neo-Assyrian Empire, 912-612 BCE, when their territory expanded across Mesopotamia, the Levant, into Asia Minor, and down to Egypt, all taken through the strength of the Assyrian war machine and the policies that supported it.
Among the most popular phrases repeated by Assyrian kings in their inscriptions is, "I destroyed, devastated, and burned with fire," referencing the standard policy of conquest during campaigns when facing a city or region that would not submit to Assyrian rule. After the people were defeated, many were sold into slavery or forcibly deported and replaced by an Assyrian populace or those who could be trusted to support Assyrian rule.
In this way, the Assyrian city of Ashur grew from a small trade center to the first capital of the largest empire the world had seen up to that time. It is hardly surprising, therefore, that, as soon as the subjugated people sensed weakness after the death of Ashurbanipal, they rose in revolt and toppled the empire in 612 BCE.
The following gallery presents images from ancient Assyria depicting battle scenes and warriors including archers, infantry, and slingers, among others.
