The Assyrians: Lost Civilizations

An accessible guide to the history of the Assyrian empire from the perspective of its powerful elites.

At the height of its power near 660 BC, the Assyrian empire, centered in northern Iraq, wielded dominance from Egypt to Iran. This vast region was ruled by a series of kings who demonstrated their power with magnificent palaces adorned by sculptures depicting rituals, battles, and hunts. Established by military might, the empire thrived under the guidance of scholars who interpreted divine will and administrators who relocated tens of thousands of people to serve the state. This book relates the history of Assyria through the lens of its royal family and the officials who commissioned its buildings, art, and literature--each a critical part of the foundation for the later Babylonian and Persian empires.

Paul Collins is keeper of the Middle East department at the British Museum. His books include The Sumerians: Lost Civilizations, also published by Reaktion Books.