Assyrian lands referred to the region on the Upper Tigris river in northern Mesopotamia. The name derived from its original capital; ancient city of Ashur.
The Assyrians rose to power and prosperity around 12th century BC in Mesopotamia which today consists mainly of modern Iraq. Their Empire extended to some regions of modern Turkey and settled in different cities in Anatolia.
Assyrians played a major role in the foundation of the civilization of mankind. After the fall of the Assyrian empire in the 7th century BC, Babylon assumed control in the region until they fell to the Persians in the 6th century BC. By then the Assyrians were reduced to a small nation living at the mercy of their overlords in the vastly scattered lands in the Middle Eastern region and finally invaded by the Hurrians.
Assyrians were a Semitic people. They were mainly involved in farming, mining and forestry, with the largest standing army in the Middle East. They had two languages during their times: ancient Assyrian (known as Akkadian), and Modern Assyrian (or neo-syriac). Originally they spoke Akkadian before the easier to use Aramaic language became more popular. They were advanced in science and mathematics and developed medical science.
The Assyrian Kings List
Early Period
| I) Kings who lived in tents | ||
|---|---|---|
| Name | Ruled | Remarks |
| Tudiya | ||
| Adamu | ||
| Yangi | ||
| Kitlamu | ||
| Harharu | ||
| Mandaru | ||
| Imsu | ||
| Harsu | ||
| Didanu | ||
| Hanu | ||
| Zuabu | ||
| Nuabu | ||
| Abazu | ||
| Belu | ||
| Azarah | ||
| Zariqum | beginning of the Assyrian independence | |
| Puzur-Ashur I | ||
| Shalim-Ahu | ||
| Ilu-Shuma | raids into southern Mesopotamia | |
| Erishum I | ||
| II) During Akkadian Domination | ||
|---|---|---|
| Name | Ruled | Remarks |
| Sargon I | 2334-2279 | united Mesopotamia (Sumer & Akkad) |
| Rimush | 2278-2270 | conquers Elam and Marhashi (central Iran) |
| Manishtushu | 2269-2255 | renovates Temple of Ishtar |
| Naram-Sin | 2254-2218 | arrogates god-like status to himself |
| Shar-Kali-Shari | 2217-2193 | Akkadian kingship begins to weaken |
| Igigi | 2192 | |
| Nanium | ||
| Imi | ||
| Elul-Dan | 2190 | |
| Dudu | 2189-2169 | |
| Shu-Turul | 2168-2154 | Akkadian empire collapses |
| III) Neo-Sumerian Domination | ||
|---|---|---|
| Name | Ruled | Remarks |
| Ur-Nammu | 2112-2095 | establishes the Third Dynasty of Ur |
| Shulgi | 2094-2047 | extends father's empire to all of Assyria |
| Amar-Sin | 2046-2038 | |
| Shu-Sin | 2037-2029 | |
| Ibbi-Sin | 2028-2004 | Amorites weaken Sumerian power |
| IV) Assyrian kings during the Akkadian Domination | ||
|---|---|---|
| Name | Ruled | Remarks |
| Ushpiya | may have succeeded allowed king Azarah | |
| Apiashal Ushpiya & Apiashal | are also considered tent kings | |
| V) Kings who were ancestors | ||
|---|---|---|
| Name | Ruled | Remarks |
| Hale | Chief of an Amorite tribe | |
| Samanu | ||
| Hayani | ||
| Ilu-Mer | ||
| Yakmesi | ||
| Yakmeni | ||
| Yazkur-ilu | ||
| Ilu-Kabkabi | ||
| Aminu | ||
| VI) Historic Period (written history) | ||
|---|---|---|
| Name | Ruled | Remarks |
| Erishum II | 1920-1900 | |
| Shamshi-Adad I | 1813-1781 | unites all independent Assyrian city-states |
| Ishme-Dagan I | 1780-1741 | contemporary with Hammurabi of Babylon |
| Ashur-Dugul | ||
| 5 unknown rulers | ||
| Adasi | ||
| Several minor rulers | ||
| Erishum III | ||
| Shamshi-Adad II | ||
| Ishme-Dagan II | ||
| Shamshi-Adad III | ||
| Ashur-Nirari I | ||
| Puzur-Ashur III | 1520 | |
| Enlil-Nasir I | ||
| Ashur-Nirari II | ||
| Ashur-Bel-Nisheshu | 1417-1409 | |
| Ashur-Rim-Nisheshu | ||
| Ashur-Nadin-Ahhe II | ||
| Eriba-Adad I | ||
Middle Period
| Name | Ruled | Remarks |
|---|---|---|
| Ashur-Uballit I | 1363-1328 | gains Assyrian Independence from Mittani |
| Enlil-Nirari | 1327-1318 | |
| Arik-Den-Ili | 1317-1306 | |
| Adad-Nirari I | 1305-1274 | Mittani falls to Assyria |
| Shalmaneser I | 1273-1244 | Urartu falls to Assyria |
| Tukulti-Ninurta I | 1243-1207 | sacked Babylon, killed by his own son |
| Ashur-Nadin-Apli | 1206-1203 | Assyrian power is weakened |
| Ashur-Nirari III | 1202-1197 | |
| Enlil-Kudurri-Usur | 1196-1191 | |
| Ninurta-Apal-Ekur | 1191-1179 | |
| Ashur-Dan I | 1178-1133 | Elam captures Babylonia |
| Ashur-Resha-Ishi I | 1132-1115 | Nebuchadnezzar I of Babylon captures Elam |
| Ninurta-Tukulti-Ashur | 1115-1114 | |
| Mutakkil-Nusku | 1115-1114 | |
| Tiglath-Pileser I | 1114-1076 | in defending Assyria, defeats Nebuchadnezzar |
| Asharid-Pal-Ekur II | limited to Nineveh, Irbil, & Ashur province | |
| Ashur-Bel-Kala | 1076-1057 | |
| 4 Unknown Rulers | ||
| Shamshi-Adad IV | 1053-1049 | |
| 5 unknown rulers | 39 years period | |
| Ashur-Rabi II | 1010-970 | Isreal & Judah under David & Solomon |
| Ashur-Resh-Ishi II | 969-967 | |
| Tiglath-Pilasar II | 966-935 | |
| Ashur-Dan II | 934-912 |
Late Period
| Name | Ruled | Remarks |
|---|---|---|
| Adad-Nirari II | 911-891 | captures Babylonia, Anatolia, & Syrian plain |
| Tukulti-Ninurta II | 890-884 | peace with Babylon, no tributes required |
| Ashurnasirpal II | 883-859 | Assyrian empire reaches Mediterranean Sea |
| Shalmaneser III | 858-824 | defeats Arameans, captures Babylon & Persia |
| Shamshi-Adad V | 823-811 | |
| Shamiram | 811-806 | ruler of Assyria while her son was a minor |
| Adad-Nirari III | 806-783 | Assyrian rule weakens |
| Shalmaneser IV | 782-773 | |
| Ashur-Dan III | 772-755 | rebellions against Assyria |
| Ashur-Nirari V | 754-745 | |
| Tiglath-Pileser III | 744-727 | re-gains Assyrian might greater than before |
| Shalmaneser V | 726-722 | captures Samaria, deports Isrealites |
| Sargon II | 721-705 | captures Egypt, Urartu, Babylon; dies in a battle |
| Sennacherib | 704-681 | fought rebellions, destroyed Babylon |
| Esarhaddon | 680-669 | rebuilt Babylon, defeats Scyth, Cimm, & Egypt |
| Ashurbanipal | 668-627 | defeats Egypt, Lydia, & Elam |
| Ashur-Etel-Ilani | 627-624 | Babylonians attack Assyria |
| Sin-Shar-Ishkun | 623-612 | Medes sack Nineveh |
| Ashur-Uballit II | 612-? | flees to Harran, supported by Egyptians |