By Me. Cláudio Fernandes
The origins of the Assyrian peoples are associated with the Semitic peoples who lived in the Caucasus region and who migrated to the plateau of Assur , in Upper Mesopotamia . The Assyrians settled in this region, which today comprises northern Iraq, around 2400 BC, when they founded the city of Assur – named after the god of the same name –, forming one of the most important empires in Mesopotamia.
However, the Assyrian empire only rose effectively around 1300 BC. and lasted until 612 BC, bequeathing to the history of civilizations that developed in the Middle East several characteristics, such as its “machine from war ”.
The so-called “war machine” of the Assyrians comprised the formation of the probable first organized army in History, that is, an army that owed its efficiency to its functional organization, which took place between archers, spearmen, tanks and cavalry. It was through their army that the Assyrians were able to bring several of Mesopotamia's civilizations under their yoke.
In addition to efficiency, the Assyrian army is also remembered for extreme cruelty. Torture, impalement, decapitation, amputations and flaying were all part of the common procedures of Assyrian soldiers towards their adversaries. It was through this terror wrought by cruel methods that the Assyrians imposed their power over the other Mesopotamian peoples.
The most important king of the Assyrians was Assurbanipal , who ruled from 668 to 626 BC. It was Ashurbanipal who organized the famous library of Nineveh, one of the main cities in Mesopotamia, which had approximately 22,000 clay tablets.
In addition to this feat, the government of Ashurbanipal was also characterized by the administrative organization that he promoted in the extensions of the Assyrian empire. Army commanders were among the most powerful members of the society, which was essentially militarized, a factor that contributed to the expansionist tendency of the Assyrians.