Empire of Conflict, Empire of Compromise. The Middle and Neo-Assyrian Landscape and Interaction with the Local Communities of the Upper Tigris Borderland (original) (raw)
Highland-lowland interaction Kassite Late Bronze Age Sirwan Regional Project Khani Masi a b s t r a c t Narratives of civilization are spun from the juxtaposition of a civilized self with that of a barbarous other. Such an opposition is never more easily constructed than from the distinctiveness of lowland and mountain topographies, environments, and life-ways. Studies of highland-lowland relationships across different periods, places and disciplines also place the two realms in conceptual opposition and only rarely engage in depth with the interaction that must underwrite all negotiations of identity. We can trace the first attested construction of such a dichotomy in the texts and iconography that detail Mesopotamia's interaction with the Zagros highlands in the later third and second millennia BCE. The recent opening of the Kurdish Region of northeast Iraq to international archaeological research now provides us with the opportunity to investigate Bronze Age communities located in transitional and highland landscapes and their relationships with the lowlands. In this paper we take a critical approach to the conceptualization of highland-lowland interaction in the past and in modern scholarship and formulate a bottom-up, archaeological approach for the investigation of highland-lowland encounters. Drawing on our recent work in the Upper Diyala/Sirwan river valley, we present crucial new settlement and material evidence, which challenges traditional interpretations of the region as a homeland of mountain tribes and begin to write a more balanced, local account of socio-cultural development and external interaction between this borderland region and a series of Bronze Age imperial powers.
This article investigates the making of Assyrian landscapes during the late second and early first millennia b.c.e. From the late 14th century b.c.e. onward, the Assyrians designated the emergent core of their territorial state as the “Land of Aššur” in their royal inscriptions. However, over the course of the next several centuries, the cultural geography of the Land of Aššur was continuously redefined while gradually shifting northward from the arid environs of the city Aššur to the well-watered and resourceful landscapes around the confluence of the Tigris and the Upper and Lower Zab Rivers. Contemporaneously, the landscapes of the Upper Tigris basin (southeastern Turkey) and the Jazira witnessed extensive settlement and cultivation as Assyrian provinces and frontiers. Drawing on archaeological survey evidence and a critical reading of the textual accounts of urban foundations, this paper argues that such mobility of Assyrian landscapes was part and parcel of broader processes of environmental and settlement change in Upper Mesopotamia. Assyrian annalistic texts point to an elaborate rhetoric of landscape that portrays state interventions in the form of city foundations and building programs, construction of irrigation canals, planting of orchards, opening of new quarries, and settlement of populations. Furthermore, the making of commemorative monuments such as rock reliefs and stelae allowed the Assyrian state to inscribe symbolically charged places in foreign landscapes and incorporate them into the narratives of the empire. By drawing attention to the long-term trends of settlement in Upper Mesopotamia during the Late Bronze and Early Iron Ages and the agency of landscapes, the article contextualizes the Assyrian political rhetoric of development at the time of a highly fluid world of geographical imagination.
The Rise and Consolidation of Assyrian Control on the Northwestern Territories
Understanding Hegemonic Practices of the Early Assyrian Empire. Essays dedicated to Frans Wiggermann. (PIHANS 125). Edited by B. Düring, 2015
Flanking the western and northwestern boundaries of the territorial nucleus of Assyria, the Khabur Triangle in northeastern Syria and the Upper Tigris River Valley in southeastern Turkey represented areas of great value for the Assyrians, and were targeted in the expansion that took place in the Late Bronze Age. These territories were part of the area known as Hanigalbat in Assyrian sources, and constituted the heartland of the Mittani kingdom. To understand the nature and meaning of the Assyrian impact, as well as the ways in which territorial and hegemonic control was exercised over the subjugated lands, we need to analyse changes in settlement systems and material culture. In previous articles. The aim of the paper is to highlight what archaeological evidence may tell us about the rise of Assyrian power in the territories beyond the steppes.
Pathways Through Arslantepe. Essays in Honour of Marcella Frangipane, 2020
The excavations at Başur Höyük have brought to light the socioeconomic reorganization of communities at the frontier of North Mesopotamia after the Late Uruk Period. By focusing on the data obtained from Başur Höyük, the paper presents a brief look at the Upper Tigris Region with the help of the material data. It seems that the Upper Tigris Region became an interaction zone between the plains of the south and the mountains of the north for different cultural and ethnic components. The paper aims to open the debate on the role various ethnic and cultural communities may have played in the establishment of ‘powerful’ political and socioeconomic organization at Başur Höyük at the beginning of the third millennium.
NY - Charles Scribner Sons - UNIVERSITY Press- John Wilson And Son's - CAMBRIDGE, U.S.A., 1902
is a rare and insightful work that delves into the rich and complex history of ancient Babylon. Published in the early 20th century, this scholarly volume provides a comprehensive account of Babylonian civilization, tracing its origins, development, and influence over the millennia. Goodspeed meticulously explores the political, social, and cultural aspects of Babylon, from its early foundations and the rise of its empire to its eventual decline and legacy. The book offers a detailed examination of key historical figures, monumental achievements, and the socio-economic structures that defined Babylonian life. Goodspeed's work is notable for its thorough analysis of Babylon's contributions to science, literature, and law, including the famed Code of Hammurabi. Through a meticulous review of archaeological findings, historical records, and contemporary scholarly interpretations, Goodspeed presents a nuanced and authoritative narrative of one of history's most influential civilizations. This rare volume is indispensable for historians, archaeologists, and scholars interested in ancient Mesopotamia, providing an in-depth understanding of how Babylon shaped the ancient world and its lasting impact on subsequent cultures INTRODUCTION PART I: THE CITY-STATES OF BABYLONIA AND THEIR UNIFICATION • The Lands of the Euphrates and Tigris - Page 3 • The Excavations in Babylonia and Assyria - Page 14 • The Language and Literature - Page 25 • Chronology and History - Page 35 • The City States of Babylonia and Their Unification Under Babylon to 2000 B.C. • I. Dawn of History - Page 49 • II. Movements Toward Expansion and Unification - Page 59 • III. Civilization of Old Babylonia: Political and Social - Page 69 • IV. Civilization of Old Babylonia: Literature, Science, Art, and Religion - Page 86 • V. The Times of Khammurabi of Babylon, 2300-2100 B.C. - Page 95 PART II: THE RISE OF ASSYRIA AND ITS STRUGGLES WITH BABYLONIA • The Kassite Conquest of Babylonia and the Appearance of Assyria, 2000-1500 B.C. - Page 121 • The Early Conflicts of Babylonia and Assyria, 1500-1150 B.C. - Page 131 • Civilization and Culture in the Kassite Period - Page 143 • The Times of Tiglath-pileser I, 1100 B.C. - Page 155 PART III: THE ASCENDANCY OF ASSYRIA • The Ancient World at the Beginning of the First Millennium, 1000 B.C. - Page 185 • and the Conquest of Mesopotamia, 885-860 B.C. - Page 203 • The Advance into Syria and the Rise of Urartu: From Shalmaneser II to the Fall of His House, 860-745 B.C. - Page 223 • The Assyrian Revival: Tiglath-pileser III and Shalmaneser IV, 745-722 B.C. - Page 265 • The Assyrian Empire at Its Height: Sargon II, 722-705 B.C. - Page 285 • The Struggle for Imperial Unity: Sennacherib, 705-681 B.C. - Page 293 • Imperial Expansion and Division: Esarhaddon, 681-668 B.C. - Page 305 • The Last Days of Splendor: Ashurbanipal, 668-626 B.C. - Page 317 • The Fall of Assyria, 626-606 B.C. - Page 327 PART IV: THE NEW BABYLONIAN (OR CHALDEAN) EMPIRE • The Heirs of Assyria and the Rise of Babylon - Page 337 • Nebuchadnezzar and His Successors - Page 351 • Babylon Under the Chaldeans - Page 365 • The Fall of Babylon - Page 377 CHRONOLOGICAL SUMMARY - Page 385 BIBLIOGRAPHY - Page 393 INDEX OF NAMES AND SUBJECTS - Page 405 INDEX OF OLD TESTAMENT REFERENCES - Page 422 Frontispiece: The World of Oriental Antiquity Plans of Nineveh and Babylon - Opposite page 278 Tags Ancient History, Babylonian Empire, Assyrian Civilization, Mesopotamian Culture, Euphrates River, Tigris River, Cuneiform Script, Code of Hammurabi, Sumerian Myths, Akkadian Legends, Neo-Babylonian Dynasty, Chaldean Kings, Sumerian Religion, Babylonian Astronomers, Assyrian Art, Mesopotamian Gods, Babylonian Mathematics, Assyrian Military Tactics, Neo-Assyrian Empire, Ancient Near East, Akkadian Language, Mesopotamian Trade, Babylonian Science, Assyrian Architecture, Sumerian Inventions, Babylonian Law Codes, Assyrian Kings, Chaldean Astronomers, Mesopotamian Myths, Babylonian Magic, Assyrian Reliefs, Sumerian Temples, Babylonian Economy, Assyrian Historical Records, Mesopotamian Agriculture, Sumerian Kings, Babylonian Legends, Assyrian Empire Collapse, Mesopotamian Rituals, Akkadian Myths, Babylonian Cultural Practices, Assyrian Conquests, Sumerian Writing Systems, Mesopotamian Beliefs, Babylonian Calendars, Assyrian Tablets, Chaldean Priests, Sumerian Economy, Mesopotamian History, Babylonian Inscriptions, Assyrian Warfare, Sumerian Music, Chaldean Astronomy, Mesopotamian Society, Babylonian Artifacts, Assyrian Temples, Sumerian Artifacts, Akkadian Culture, Babylonian Dynasty, Assyrian Religion, Mesopotamian Civilization, Sumerian Legends, Babylonian Society, Assyrian Kingship, Chaldean Society, Mesopotamian Warfare, Babylonian Contributions, Assyrian Trade Routes, Sumerian Rituals, Akkadian Literature, Babylonian Religion, Assyrian Artifacts, Chaldean Kingdoms, Sumerian Texts, Mesopotamian Ritual Practices, Babylonian Gods, Assyrian Expansion, Akkadian Deities, Sumerian Beliefs, Babylonian Mythology, Assyrian Art History, Mesopotamian Technology, Babylonian Social Structure, Chaldean Empire, Sumerian Society, Akkadian Economy, Babylonian Conquests, Assyrian Engineering, Mesopotamian Chronicles, Sumerian Science, Chaldean Literature, Babylonian Kingship, Assyrian Monuments, Mesopotamian Artifacts, Akkadian Kings, Babylonian Architecture, Sumerian Social Hierarchy, Assyrian Historical Records, Chaldean Mathematics, Mesopotamian Gods and Goddesses, Babylonian History, Sumerian Contributions, Akkadian Astronomical Records, Assyrian Empire Structure, Mesopotamian Language, Babylonian Royalty, Chaldean Conquests, Sumerian Astronomy, Akkadian Social Structure, Babylonian Knowledge, Assyrian Rituals, Mesopotamian Dynasties, Sumerian Myths and Legends, Babylonian Rituals, Assyrian Cultural Practices, Akkadian Histories, Mesopotamian Festivals, Babylonian Historiography, Chaldean Social Structure, Sumerian Religion Practices, Akkadian Astronomical Records, Assyrian Artifacts and Relics, Babylonian Administrative Systems, Mesopotamian Historical Texts, Sumerian Knowledge, Chaldean Astronomy and Science, Assyrian Dynasties, Babylonian Trade Practices, Akkadian Religion, Mesopotamian Myths and Legends, Sumerian Administrative Systems, Chaldean Military Tactics, Babylonian Contributions to Science, Assyrian Writing Systems, Mesopotamian Economic Systems, Akkadian Literary Works, Sumerian Astronomy and Mathematics, Babylonian Governance, Chaldean Kingship, Assyrian Social Structure, Mesopotamian Innovations, Sumerian Contributions to Culture, Babylonian Ritual Practices, Akkadian Historical Records, Assyrian Empire History, Chaldean Contributions, Mesopotamian Texts and Inscriptions, Sumerian Art and Culture, Babylonian Calendar Systems, Akkadian Innovations, Assyrian Religious Practices, Mesopotamian Political Structures, Chaldean Artifacts, Sumerian Astronomy and Science, Babylonian Knowledge Systems, Akkadian Cultural Practices, Assyrian Trade and Commerce, Mesopotamian Contributions to Civilization, Chaldean Social Hierarchy, Sumerian Science and Mathematics, Babylonian Ritual Texts, Akkadian Language and Literature, Assyrian Contributions to Science, Mesopotamian Art and Culture, Chaldean Administrative Systems, Sumerian Beliefs and Practices, Babylonian Innovations, Akkadian Historical Accounts, Assyrian Myths and Legends, Mesopotamian Administrative Systems, Chaldean Political Structures, Sumerian Technological Achievements, Babylonian Royal Inscriptions, Akkadian Contributions to Culture, Assyrian Astronomy and Mathematics, Mesopotamian Scientific Contributions, Chaldean Historical Texts, Sumerian Administrative Texts, Babylonian Cultural Practices, Akkadian Religious Texts, Assyrian Innovations, Mesopotamian Scientific Records, Chaldean Society and Culture, Sumerian Historical Records, Babylonian Knowledge and Learning, Akkadian Rituals, Assyrian Cultural Contributions, Mesopotamian Rituals and Festivals, Chaldean Contributions to Astronomy, Sumerian Scientific Texts, Babylonian Social Practices, Akkadian Contributions to Science, Assyrian Historical Texts, Mesopotamian Innovations in Science, Chaldean Social Practices, Sumerian Contributions to Astronomy, Babylonian Contributions to Mathematics, Akkadian Technological Innovations, Assyrian Social Hierarchy, Mesopotamian Textual Traditions, Chaldean Science and Technology, Sumerian Historical Texts, Babylonian Art and Artifacts, Akkadian Scientific Contributions, Assyrian Administrative Systems, Mesopotamian Science and Technology, Chaldean Innovations in Science, Sumerian Ritual Texts, Babylonian Cultural Innovations, Akkadian Contributions to Mathematics, Assyrian Scientific Records, Mesopotamian Innovations in Astronomy, Chaldean Technological Achievements, Sumerian Textual Traditions, Babylonian Social Hierarchy, Akkadian Historical Records and Texts, Assyrian Ritual Practices, Mesopotamian Cultural Contributions, Chaldean Ritual Texts, Sumerian Technological Innovations, Babylonian Scientific Contributions, Akkadian Ritual Practices, Assyrian Innovations in Science, Mesopotamian Cultural Innovations, Chaldean Historical Records, Sumerian Scientific Contributions, Babylonian Innovations in Astronomy, Akkadian Social Practices, Assyrian Textual Traditions, Mesopotamian Technological Achievements, Chaldean Contributions to Mathematics, Sumerian Ritual Practices, Babylonian Scientific Records, Akkadian Contributions to Astronomy, Assyrian Historical Contributions, Mesopotamian Ritual Innovations, Chaldean Scientific Innovations, Sumerian Historical Innovations, Babylonian Contributions to Culture, Akkadian Technological Records, Assyrian Ritual Texts, Mesopotamian Historical Contributions, Chaldean Innovations in Mathematics, Sumerian Textual Innovations, Babylonian Social Innovations, Akkadian Scientific Texts, Assyrian Cultural Contributions, Mesopotamian Technological Contributions, Chaldean Ritual Practices, Sumerian ...