Assyria: The Rise and Fall of the World’s First Empire

Yale historian Frahm (coeditor, Ancient Mesopotamia Speaks) delivers a comprehensive and accessible look at the rise, fall, and historical impact of the Assyrian Empire. From its beginnings at the city-state of Ashur in the 14th century BCE, Frahm documents the initial growth of the Assyrian kingdom, noting a pattern of setbacks and expansion up to the 744–727 BCE reign of Tiglath-pileser III, who more than doubled the size of the empire. From there, Frahm recounts the conflicts that brought Assyria to the height of its power and influence and profiles prominent kings including Sennacherib, whose attack on Jerusalem in 701 BCE is described in the Hebrew Bible, and Esarhaddon, who conquered Egypt in 671 BCE. Besieged by Babylonian and Median troops and buffeted by “climate-induced drought” and political turmoil, the Assyrian Empire collapsed around 612 BCE. Frahm makes a persuasive case that the more celebrated Persian, Greek, and Roman empires drew from Assyrian bureaucracies, communication systems, and arts, and details how modern-day war and terrorism in the Middle East threaten Assyrian and Babylonian artifacts. Sweeping in scope yet meticulously detailed, this is a worthy introduction to a significant yet lesser-known chapter of ancient history. (Apr.)