Today’s Goal: What were the most significant accomplishments of the Assyrians and Chaldeans?

Assyrian Geography

Assyria’s capital was established at Nineveh

Walls of Nineveh

Their capital at Nineveh on the Tigris river had a constant supply of fresh water. Tribute and stolen treasures were displayed in

this huge capital.

Assyrian Society1) Nobility2) Artisans3) Unskilled free workers4) Serfs (bound to land)5) Slaves• Women had lower position

Assyrian Empire

Assyrian god – they were polytheistic

Assyrian god Assur

• Nineveh held one of the ancient world’s largest libraries

• King Ashurbanipal collected 20,000 clay tablets, including the Epic of Gilgamesh, in this library

Tablets from his library

Flood Tablet found in Assurbanipal’s library

Used cuneiform, then later Aramaic

• Constant warfare

• Innovations: – Battering ram– Cavalry– Leather & metal armor– Camels for desert warfare– Conscription (draft of

soldiers)– Siege tower

Assyrian Conquests

Assyrian Guardian figure

Weighs 30 tons6 ½ ft high

Assyrian carving

Assyrian Winged Bull

Winged Assyrian Bull

Chaldeans and the Medes joined to defeat the Assyrians

in 612 BC

Why did other people in the region celebrate when the Assyrians were

defeated?

• Capital = Babylon

• Restored by King Nebuchadnezzar

Ruins of Nebuchadnezzar’s

Babylon

Nebuchadnezzar

Nebuchadnezzar had the Hanging Gardens of Babylon (a garden on top of the palace)

built for his wife

Hanging Gardensof Babylon

Hanging Gardensof Babylon

Nebuchadnezzar II’s Babylon

Nebuchadnezzar II’s Babylon

Parts of Babylon have been rebuilt by Saddam Hussein

Rebuilt by Saddam Hussein

Iraq

Ishtar Gate of Babylon

Soldiers

Dragon of Marduk on the wall of the Ishtar Gate

Lion in Nebuchadnezzar's throne room

Design in throne room

The Star Gazers of Babylon

• Priests observed & recorded the night sky

• Stars determined human destiny, could foretell future

• They observed the Zodiac, a belt of 12 constellations and the phases of the moon

Assyrians formed the basis for both astronomy & astrology.

First Historical Horoscope

Today’s Goal: What were the most significant accomplishments of the Assyrians and Chaldeans?

With a partner, list what you think are With a partner, list what you think are the the TOP 3TOP 3 accomplishments of the accomplishments of the Assyrians and Chaldeans (be able to Assyrians and Chaldeans (be able to explain explain whywhy).).