The Assyrian empire dominated Mesopotamia and all of the Near East for the first half of the first millennium.
1365–609 B.C.E.
Beginner's Guide
What is Assyria?
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Lamassu from the citadel of Sargon II
Winged, human-headed bulls served as guardians of the city and its palace—walking by, they almost seem to move.
Assyria, an introduction
Led by aggressive warrior kings, Assyria dominated the fertile crescent for half a millennia, amassing vast wealth.
The palace decoration of Ashurbanipal
Ashurbanipal wasn't just an Assyrian king, he was a propaganda king.
Assyrian Sculpture
Leveraging their enormous wealth, the Assyrians built great temples and palaces full of art, all paid for by conquest.
Ashurbanipal Hunting Lions
Only the king was permitted to kill lions—and doing so signified his power and ability to keep nature at bay.
