Many of the ancient Near Eastern peoples succumbed to the Assyrians' thirst for conquest. The Assyrians secured their power over these peoples through a skilful policy of alliances and dependencies. The Assyrians often only achieved this by military means. Some of these peoples, who defended themselves against the overpowering Assyria during the Sargonid period around 722-627 BC, are presented here. Unfortunately, there are very few contemporary illustrations of them - in contrast to the Assyrians. Their appearance had to be reconstructed on the basis of the few sources and artefacts found. Not much is known about the military system of most of the Assyrians' opponents either, so the little information that has been gathered has been included in this volume. These peoples experienced the upheavals of the time just as the Assyrians did. This period was also characterised by the final transition from the Bronze Age to the Iron Age, which was reflected in their equipment. The exchange of innovations with each other and with the Assyrians played a major role here. Ultimately, there were too many opponents and Assyria was weakened in many long battles, so that it was ultimately defeated. The peoples of the Urartians, Elamites, Medes, Persians, Cimmerians, Philistines, Neo-Hittites, Scythians, Arameans, Chaldeans and others emerge from the darkness of history.
Contents Acknowledgements Introduction The Kingdom of Urartu The Kingdom of Elam The inhabitants of the Zagros Mountains The kingdoms of Judah and Israel The king of the northern kingdom of Israel The pharaonic kingdom of Egypt with its mercenaries Libya, Nubia (Kush), Greece/Ionia Libya Nubia (Egyptian Cushites) Greece and Ionia The coastal states of Philistaea and Phoenicia Philistia Phoenicia The tribes of the Arameans and Chaldeans The Neo-Hittites The Arabs The Babylonians The equestrian nomads of the Cimmerians and Scythians The Cimmerians (Assyrian Gimirrai or Gimirri) The Scythians (Assyrian Aguta, Ikuza) The Proto-Iranian Medes and Persians Other peoples Index of places and people Bibliography
Group
Books (first-hand)
Author
Sennewald, Roland
Title
Die Gegner der Assyrer zur Zeit von Sargon II. bis Assurbanipal
Details
Paperback, 18 colour plates, some double-page, by Stefano Borin, 109 reproductions of contemporary illustrations and colour photographs of artefacts, one map. 164 pages.
