The Assyrians

The Ancient Assyrians who Conquered Samaria

The Assyrians dwelt in the region of the upper Tigris River. They were Semitic peoples as can be seen from tracing Genesis 10:22, as well as from researching the many inscriptions found in the ruins of ancient Assyria. In fact everything about them was very Semitic, their looks, their mannerisms, etc.

In stature the Assyrians were average height, and powerfully built. Their complexion was dark, the nose prominent, the hair, eyebrows, and beard thick and bushy. Their physical features can be seen clearly in the ancient discoveries along the upper Tigris.

They actually looked very much like Jews and Babylonians and possessed a similar dialect. They wore eloquent garments and the royalty wore elaborate headdresses. It was not their custom to intermarry with foreigners.

Note: Scholars have identified 3 stages of development in forming the Assyrian Empire.

The Old Empire - 18th - 14th Centuries BC. (Small Expansion)

The Middle Empire - 13th - 9th Centuries BC (Larger Expansion)

The New Empire - 9th - 7th Centuries BC (Largest and Most Terrorizing Expansion)

The Brutal Assyrians - Quotes and Images

�I built a wall before the great gates of the city; I flayed the chief men of the rebels, and I covered the wall with their skins. Some of them were enclosed alive in the bricks of the wall, some of them were crucified on stakes along the wall; I caused a great multitude of them to be flayed in my presence, and I covered the wall with their skins. I gathered together the heads in the form of crowns, and their pierced bodies in the form of garlands.�

�Asshur my Lord commanded me to go forth�I covered the regions of Saraush and of Ammaush with ruins�I proved myself against their armies at the mountain of Aruma, I chastised them, I strawed the earth with their bodies as they had been beasts of the field; I took their cities in possession, I carried away their gods, I led them away captive, them and their goods and their treasures;

�I burned the cities with fire, I destroyed them, I made them even with the ground, I made of them heaps and a desolation; I laid upon them the grievous yoke of my dominion, and in their presence I gave thanks unto Asshur my Lord.�

�I slew two hundred and sixty fighting men; I cut off their heads and made pyramids thereof. I slew one of every two.�

(The New Assyrian Empire 650 BC)

See Map of the Fertile Crescent

See Map of Israel

See Map of Assyria

The kings of later Assyria reigned from the 9th century BC until the fall of Assyria in 612 BC.

Later kings of Assyria (885-607 B.C.)

Assur-nasirpal II (885-860 B.C.)

Shalmaneser II (860-825 B.C.)

Shansi-adad (825-808 B.C.)

Adad-nirari (808-783 B.C.)

Shalmaneser III (783-771 B.C.)

Assur-dayan (771-753 B.C.)

Assur-lush (753-747 B.C.)

Tiglath-pileser III (Pul) (747-727 B.C.)

Shalmaneser IV (727-722 B.C.)

Sargon II (722-705 B.C.)

Sennacherib (705-681 B.C.)

Esar-haddon (681-668 B.C.)

Assur-banipal (668-626 B.C.)

Assur-etil-ilani (626-607 B.C.)