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"The Assyrians ruled inland Asia for five-hundred and twenty years, and the Medes were the first to revolt from them. It would seem that they proved themselves to be truly courageous men by fighting the Assyrians for the cause of freedom and they succeeded in casting off slavery and were liberated. Afterwards, the other ethnic groups freed themselves as the Medes had done." |
"I cut their throats like sheep. My prancing steeds plumed into their welling blood as into a river; the wheels of my battle chariot were bespattered with blood and filth." |
"The Assyrian army of the 8th century BCE was comprised of at least 150,000-200,000 men and was the largest standing military force that the Middle East had witnessed to this time. An Assyrian combat field army numbered approximately 50,000 men with various mixes of infantry, chariots and cavalry In modern times the size of an Assyrian field army was equal to five modern heavy American divisions or almost eight Soviet field divisions. When arrayed for battle the army took up an area of 2,500 yards across and 100 yards deep. The Assyrian army was also the first army to be entirely equipped with iron weapons." |
“This ruthless spirit perhaps proves not so much that the Assyrians were inhuman monsters, as it shows the sternness required to break and harness the Near East. The Assyrian period was in reality one of the greatest turning points in the civilized history of the area and in this fact must be sought the justification for the booty and the tribute of empire, if empire needs justification. Politically, such kings as Tiglath-Pileser III took decisive steps towards uniting the Fertile Crescent. The next great empire, the Persian, reaped the benefit and so could afford to exercise its sway in a more lenient style.” |
