exam revision Flashcards
who were the babylonians?
a civilisation that lasted from 1894 bce to 593bce that wasnt important until hammurabi
came from amorites from syria after the akkadian empire
hammurabi’s rise to power
given small kingdom by his father, raised and fortified walls, trained and increased armies, forgave debts, increased wealth, built bridges and canals
hammurabi’s conquest
made alliances and helped others, then broke those alliances and took cities by force, failure to ensure effective administration across the empire and pressure from the Kassites and Hittites saw the empire crumble within 100 years of Hammurabi’s death.
hammurabi’s law code
purpose of the code was “That the strong might not injure the weak, in order to protect the widows and orphans”. Closer inspection shows many designed to reinforce the status quo, economic and social power remained with the male elite. an eye for an eye
types of laws
The code also reveals that the owning of slaves, prostitution and divorce were all legal.
Women and children are very much treated as the property of the male head of household
infractions against slaves and the labouring classes attract lesser punishments that those against freemen or professionals
factors that lead to decline of first Babylonian dynasty
southern Mesopotamia had no natural, defensible boundaries
In 1595 Babylon was sacked by Hittites who raided the city and ended the first Babylonian dynasty.
After the death of Hammurabi, his empire began to disintegrate rapidly. Under his successor Samsu-iluna (1749-1712 BCE), the far south of Mesopotamia was lost to a native Akkadian king, called Ilum-ma-ili
how did assyria become powerful after bronze age collapse?
they had Assur and Niniveh through this period of turmoil, the Assyrians were well placed at the end of the bronze age collapse to strengthen and expand.
focus of early neo-Assyrian kings was on stabilising existing borders, suppressing attacks and gradually expanding Assyrian territory. This period also sees a building and strengthening of the military and the beginning of annual campaigns.
main features of the reign of assurnasirpal 2
responsible for enacting the will of the gods on earth
justify their military campaigns and a chief responsibility of the king was to bring the known world under the control of Assyria
unlikely that kings would have had significant frontline roles during battle.
communication with gods, warrior, leader, tribute from subjugated states
political / administration achievements, assurnasirpal 2
Annexed regions had to send regular tribute and were put under the control of Assyrian governors who reported directly to the king. To prevent uprisings, local people were deported en masse and resettled in other areas of the empire. fortified garrisons from which further campaigns could be mounted easily and with minimal delay.
riches from tribute and booty
military achievements assurnasirpal 2
14 military campaigns led by the king over the course of his 24 years on the throne, bringing the majority of Mesopotamia under Assyrian control.
regular expeditions for both plunder and political control.
advances in military technology. These included more effective siege machines and a greater emphasis on the use of cavalry rather than chariotry. This was particularly important in the mountainous regions to Assyria’s north and northwest, where the use of chariots - which need flat terrain - was not practical.
construction achievements assurnasirpal 2
rebuilding of Kalhu.
walled citadel TT which was home to a magnificent royal palace as well as temples and administrative buildings.
The southern part of the city contained a residential area for the city’s 16,000 inhabitants.
It also enclosed extensive gardens
zoo where animals captured during the king’s campaigns or received as tribute were put on display.
They provided entertainment
also a symbol of the greatness of the Assyrian empire, in which the ordinary citizens of Kalhu could share by seeing the exotic plants and animals.
after assurnasirpal 2 death
civil war
conflict had weakened the kingdom. failed campaigns and ineffective kings further weakened Assyria
Assurnasirpal II’s policies of deportation and placement of administrative power in annexed states maintained influence and control during this time of upheaval.
neo-Assyrian military
The kings saw it was their duty to the god Ashur to fight for the existence and expansion of their empire and justified their military campaigns as following the instructions of Ashur. booty for economy
made up of conscripted agricultural workers Each spring/summer they would be taken into the army for the annual campaign. set the rhythm and tone for the Assyrian year, with harvest and war being the driving forces of the economy and use of labour.
The regularity of the campaigns development of a well organised and capable military. warning to any rebellious territories.
neo assyrian army words
Vassal State
A state that has been conquered, but remains in place and pays tribute to the conquering force.
Booty
Goods and riches taken from a conquered state - “spoils of war”.
Tribute
Annual tax paid by a vassal state.
Subjugation
Conquering and suppression of another state.
Turtanu
Military official, in charge of the army, each looked over 100,000+ soldiers.
Rab shaqe
Military official “cup bearer” in charge of smaller, 15,000 men units
Rab eserti
10 - 15 men, smallest unit in the army.
Sapper
Tunnelled under walls.
weapons and people in neo assyrian army
Heavy infantry
Archers and spears
Archers kill from a distance.
Spearmen in close contact fighting.
Light infantry
Rocks and slings
Hitting enemy with rocks.
Charioteers
Chariots, archers, shields
Stampede at the enemy.
Cavalry
Horses, lance, bow sword
Stampede and attack ground enemy from above.
Engineers
Siege ramp, battering ram, bridges
Weaken city walls
Scribes
Propaganda
Record action, record booty and slaves taken
pyschological warfare
Spread information about brutal treatment of those that have rebelled.
Displays of might such as palace reliefs.
Reputation.
Yearly campaigns to enforce power and cause fear.
Advantage: Some cities would surrender prior to any engagement with the Assyrian army.
Disadvantage: Still a risk of rebellion and open to attack.
seige tactics
Surrounding cities
Cutting off essentials such as food and water
Battering rams, siege towers, catapults used
Disadvantage: Expensive and could be lengthy
Advantages: effective and potentially less casualties for the attacking army, attacking army has access to farmlands and territory external to the city under siege.
deportation
Forced relocation of conquered peoples to other parts of the empire
Advantage: Deportees provided labour for the empire, source of craftspeople, source of soldiers. The deportees would share the stories of conquest and further spread Assyria’s reputation. Plus, deportees would be separated from their connections and power base, making it more difficult for them to rebel.
vassal states
Conquered states that remained under the power of Assyria by payment of a yearly tribute. Governors were put in place the rule and report back.
Advantage: control and tribute to build Assyria’s wealth.
Disadvantage: large amount of people to try and control over a large distance.
vassal states
Conquered states that remained under the power of Assyria by payment of a yearly tribute. Governors were put in place the rule and report back.
Advantage: control and tribute to build Assyria’s wealth.
Disadvantage: large amount of people to try and control over a large distance.
palace at kalhu
The city lies on the eastern bank of the Tigris
controlled key trade routes
glorified the king, declared his power
reliefs showing wealth, power, ect
rise to power tiglath pileser
Dissatisfaction with the rule of Ashur Nirari V incited civil war in 746 BCE. extend the empire further than ever before.
government and political achievements tiglath
He restructured the government to place more power in his own hands and drastically reduce the authority of local governors.
He reduced the size of the provinces, increasing their number from twelve to 25, and forced governors to oversee provinces in pairs.
He also initiated a policy in which he appointed eunuchs to these positions, thus decreasing the likelihood of a governor trying to usurp too much power, since he would be unable to establish a family line to carry on his name.
He also instituted an intelligence system which was carefully overseen by the palace and those the king could trust. This was accompanied by the development of an excellent road systems.
Small contingents of military troops were stationed at strategic locations within the vassal states to maintain order and assist in the collection of taxes.
military achievements tiglath
Introduction of iron weapons that were quicker and easier to produce, plus stronger.
A permanent army was established, as opposed to the seasonal armies used by Assurnasirpal II.
creation of the first professional standing army.
quickly mobilised and stationed around the region.
