The Assyrians
INTRODUCTION
As was mentioned in the introductory lecture on Mesopotamian civilization, the Sumerians were just one of many groups that lived in the Fertile Crescent that was the heart land of Mesopotamia. The Sumerians were conquered and dominated by a number of groups who sought for ascendancy on the region and who ruled at different periods of time.
The Babylonians who dominated the region after the conquering of the Sumerians were themselves overthrown by the Hittites and the Kassites. The Hurrians and Kassites were new groups which entered the Fertile Crescent while the Hittites had been quietly living there from about 2700 BCE. The Hurrians created the Kingdom of Mitanni on the upper end of the Tigris and Euphrates.
THE HITTITES
❖ The Hittites had settled in the region from around 2700 BCE. They did not dominate the region in an aggressive way burning, looting and invading like the Assyrians who would dominate after them. Their arrival appears to have been peaceful accompanied by intermarriage and alliances with the native people.
❖ They integrated so well with the groups around them that they even adopted the worship of several of the deities of those around them. The era of Hittite greatness was from about 1475 to about 1200 BEC.
❖ The Hittites extended their arms and extinguished the dynasty of Hammurabi.
ACHIEVEMENTS OF THE HITTITES
❖ Probably the most outstanding achievements of the Hittites was their mastery of Iron technology. Although it is not conclusive whether they were the first to discover the possibilities of iron they were the first group in the Near East to master the technology.
❖ Their technology allowed them to craft superior weapons compared to their neighbours.
❖ This gave them an additional advantage in both war and commerce.
❖ When the Hittites were untied under a strong King they were a power to be reckoned with.
❖ The Hittites also
As was mentioned in the introductory lecture on Mesopotamian civilization, the Sumerians were just one of many groups that lived in the Fertile Crescent that was the heart land of Mesopotamia. The Sumerians were conquered and dominated by a number of groups who sought for ascendancy on the region and who ruled at different periods of time.
The Babylonians who dominated the region after the conquering of the Sumerians were themselves overthrown by the Hittites and the Kassites. The Hurrians and Kassites were new groups which entered the Fertile Crescent while the Hittites had been quietly living there from about 2700 BCE. The Hurrians created the Kingdom of Mitanni on the upper end of the Tigris and Euphrates.
THE HITTITES
❖ The Hittites had settled in the region from around 2700 BCE. They did not dominate the region in an aggressive way burning, looting and invading like the Assyrians who would dominate after them. Their arrival appears to have been peaceful accompanied by intermarriage and alliances with the native people.
❖ They integrated so well with the groups around them that they even adopted the worship of several of the deities of those around them. The era of Hittite greatness was from about 1475 to about 1200 BEC.
❖ The Hittites extended their arms and extinguished the dynasty of Hammurabi.
ACHIEVEMENTS OF THE HITTITES
❖ Probably the most outstanding achievements of the Hittites was their mastery of Iron technology. Although it is not conclusive whether they were the first to discover the possibilities of iron they were the first group in the Near East to master the technology.
❖ Their technology allowed them to craft superior weapons compared to their neighbours.
❖ This gave them an additional advantage in both war and commerce.
❖ When the Hittites were untied under a strong King they were a power to be reckoned with.
❖ The Hittites also