The Ancient Assyrians: Empire and Army, 883-612 BC

This book provides a comprehensive history of the Ancient Assyrian Army and Empire,from the end of the 10th century to the 7th century BC. It explores the empire's creation, the Assyrian Army's role in securing conquests, and the development of siege weapons. Visual evidence from wall reliefs and artefacts reveals the army's evolution over three centuries, and recent archaeological discoveries have allowed the names of chariot/cavalry unit commanders to be given.

Format: Hardback
Length: 320 pages
Publication date: 20 July 2023
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing PLC

Spanning a remarkable 30 years of scholarly research, this captivating book offers a singular and richly illustrated account of the Ancient Assyrian Army and Empire. During the pivotal period from the end of the 10th century to the 7th century BC, the Ancient Near East was under the formidable sway of the dynamic military power of Assyria. This comprehensive volume delves into the empire that is now recognized as the first 'world empire,' serving as the progenitor of all subsequent empires. With an abundance of captivating color illustrations, including photographs of artifacts, drawings, and maps, the book focuses on the Assyrian Army, the formidable force that facilitated the empire's immense conquests. Regarded by historians as the most effective military force of pre-classical times, the Assyrian Army played a pivotal role in the creation of history's first independent cavalry arm and the subsequent development of siege weapons that were later adopted by Greece and Rome. Throughout its three-century evolution, there is a wealth of visual evidence that showcases the remarkable transformation of this army. During the mid-19th century rediscovery and excavation of the Assyrian civilization, numerous wall reliefs and artifacts were unearthed, leading to extensive research by Assyriologists since that time. The profound impact of the Assyrian Empire on history has been unveiled through the extensive scholarly endeavors of these experts. The recent surge in archaeological discoveries has enabled us to assign actual names to chariot/cavalry unit commanders, providing a deeper understanding of the intricacies of this fascinating army and empire. Drawing upon this extensive scholarship and utilizing the remarkable collections of museums worldwide, Mark Healy presents a fresh and unique perspective on the history of this captivating army and empire.

Dimension: 242 x 190 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781472848093