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Organising an Empire: The Assyrian Way

Approx. 19 hours to complete

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Course Summary

This course explores the history and organization of the Assyrian Empire, focusing on its military, administrative, and economic systems.

Key Learning Points

Learn about the political and cultural history of the Assyrian Empire
Understand the organization and function of the Assyrian military and administration
Explore the economic systems and trade networks of the Assyrian Empire

Job Positions & Salaries of people who have taken this course might have

- USA: $59,120
- India: ₹400,000
- Spain: €22,000
- USA: $59,120
- India: ₹400,000
- Spain: €22,000
- USA: $63,670
- India: ₹450,000
- Spain: €27,000
- USA: $59,120
- India: ₹400,000
- Spain: €22,000
- USA: $63,670
- India: ₹450,000
- Spain: €27,000
- USA: $49,850
- India: ₹350,000
- Spain: €20,000

Learning Outcomes

Understand the political and cultural history of the Assyrian Empire
Analyze the organization and function of the Assyrian military and administration
Evaluate the economic systems and trade networks of the Assyrian Empire

Prerequisites or good to have knowledge before taking this course

Basic knowledge of ancient history
Interest in the Assyrian Empire

Course Difficulty Level

Intermediate

Course Format

Online
Self-paced

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Description

Discover the mighty kingdom of Assyria, which came to be the world’s first great empire three thousand years ago. From the 9th to the 7th centuries BC, during the imperial phase of Assyria’s long history, modern day northern Iraq was the central region of a state reaching from the Mediterranean Sea to the Persian Gulf, and incorporating what is now Iraq, Syria, and Lebanon, as well as half of Israel, and wide parts of south-eastern Turkey, and Western Iran.

In its geographical extent, this state was unprecedentedly large, and the distinct geography of the Middle East, with deserts and high mountain ranges, posed challenges to communication and cohesion. What were the mechanisms that kept the Empire running? This course explores the methods the Assyrian government employed to ensure unity and maintain loyalty across vast distances, using traditional as well as innovative strategies. Some of these imperial techniques have marked parallels in the ways modern multi-national corporations are operating, others will strike you as profoundly alien. This course focusses on how the Assyrians organised their empire by analysing key aspects, namely: · The CEO – the king, a religious, political and military leader, who is charged to govern by his master, the god Assur; · Home Office – the royal palace in the central region and the royal court that form the administrative centre of the state; · The Regional Managers – the governors and client-rulers to whom local power is delegated; · Human Resources – the Empire’s people are its most precious assets, its consumers and its key product, as the goal of the imperial project was to create “Assyrians”; an approach with lasting repercussions that still reverberate in the Middle East today; and finally · The Fruits of Empire – it takes a lot of effort, so what are the rewards? When we explore these topics we will contextualise them with information about the lives led by ordinary Assyrian families. Taking this course will provide you with an overview of the political, social, religious, and military history of the world’s first superpower. It will give you insight into the geography and climatic conditions of the Middle East and contribute to your understanding of the opportunities and challenges of that region. It will present you with a vision of the Middle East at a time when its political and religious structures were very different from today.

Outline

Introducing Ancient Assyria
Welcome to the Course
Introduction to Ancient Assyria
Talking about the Environment and Living Conditions
Focus on Writing in Assyria
Ask the Experts: Why Study the Assyrian Empire?
A Map of the Middle East, with Key Cities, Ancient and Modern
Week 1: Quiz 1
Week 1: Final Quiz

Meet the CEO: The Assyrian King
Key Theme: The God and His Ruler
Talking about Temples and Religious Festivals
Focus on Petitioning the Gods: The Importance of Divination
Assyrian History, Part 1: Leaving Assur
How Do We Know About the Move to Kalhu?
Ask the Experts: The Perks and Drawbacks of Kingship
Two Kings: Tiglath-pileser III and Shalmaneser V
Week 2: Quiz 1
Week 2: Quiz 2
Week 2: Quiz 3
Week 2: Final Quiz

A Visit to the Head Office: The Royal Capital and Court
Key Theme: The Royal Capital and Court
Talking About Family Life, Part 1
Talking About Family Life, Part 2
Focus on The King's Scholars
Assyrian History, Part 2: Empire Builders
How Do We Know About the Rebellion Against Shalmaneser III?
Ask the Experts: Your Dream Job at Court
Week 3: Quiz 1
Week 3: Quiz 2
Week 3: Quiz 3
Week 3: Final Quiz

Regional Managers: Outsourcing Power
Key Lecture: All the King's Men: Governors and Client Rulers
Talking about Eunuchs
Focus on Long-Distance Communications
Assyrian History, Part 3: Moving On
How Do We Know About the Death of Sargon II?
Ask the Experts: Where Would You Live?
Two More Kings: Sargon II and Sennacherib
Week 4: Quiz 1
Week 4: Quiz 2
Week 4: Quiz 3
Week 4: Final Quiz

Human Resources: Commodities, Consumers, and Product
Key Theme: Making Assyrians
Talking About Women's Lives
Focus on Population Management
Assyrian History, Part 4: The Covenant
How Do We Know About Esarhaddon's Covenant?
Ask the Experts: How Would You Be Living?
Your Last Two Kings: Esarhaddon and Assurbanipal
Copy of Your Last Two Kings: Esarhaddon and Assurbanipal
Week Five: Quiz 1
Week 5: Quiz 2
Week 5: Final Quiz

The Fruits of Empire: Expenses and Revenue
Key Theme: Why an Empire?
Talking about Luxury
Assyrian History, Part 5: The End of Assyria
How Do We Know About The End of Assyria?
Ask the Experts: The Lasting Achievements of the Assyrian Empire
Good Bye!
Week 6: Quiz 1
Week 6: Quiz 2
Week 6: Final Quiz

Summary of User Reviews

Key Aspect Users Liked About This Course

Many users found the content engaging and informative, providing a solid introduction to ancient Assyrian history.

Pros from User Reviews

Engaging and informative content
Knowledgeable instructors
Comprehensive overview of Assyrian history and organizational techniques
Accessible for beginners with no prior knowledge of ancient history
Well-structured course materials

Cons from User Reviews

Challenges with course navigation
Some users found the pace of lectures to be too slow or too fast
Limited opportunities for interaction with instructors or other students
Course assignments were not always relevant to the lecture material
Some users found the quizzes and exams to be too difficult

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Organising an Empire: The Assyrian Way

Discover the mighty kingdom of Assyria, which came to be the world’s first great empire three thousand years ago. What were the mechanisms that kept the Empire running?...

Save Course