Early Assyria Period — Part 1

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The Early Assyrian period spanned from 2600 to 2025 BC, marking the beginning of Assyrian history. The city of Assur, which would later become an independent city-state, was already in existence during this period. However, the earliest archaeological evidence from Assur dates back to the Early Dynastic Period, around 2600 BC, indicating that the city might have been founded even earlier.

Before becoming an independent city, Assur was likely under the control of several powerful states and empires from southern Mesopotamia. During the Early Dynastic Period, the city experienced significant Sumerian influence and even fell under the hegemony of the Sumerian city of Kish. From the 24th to 22nd centuries BC, Assur was part of the Akkadian Empire, serving as an administrative outpost in northern Mesopotamia. This era was later regarded by Assyrian kings as a golden age.

Before the rise of the Akkadian Empire, the Semitic-speaking ancestors of the later Assyrians settled in Assur and the surrounding area, either displacing or assimilating the original population. The city was founded in a location that was both sacred and strategic. Over time, the city itself was gradually deified during the Early Assyrian period and eventually became personified as the god Ashur, firmly established as the Assyrian national deity by the time of Puzur-Ashur I.

In terms of population, during the rule of the Puzur-Ashur dynasty, Assur was home to less than 10,000 people. The military power of the city is likely to have been limited to local regions; no sources describe any military conquests, and no surrounding cities appear to have been subjected to the rule of the Assyrian kings.

Despite its limited political power, Assur was an important economic hub, especially from Erishum I’s reign (c. 1974–1935 BCE), known for its extensive trading network extending from the Zagros Mountains to central Anatolia.

What were some of the key features of the Early Assyrian period?

The Early Assyrian period, was marked by several key features:

1. Strong Sumerian Influence: The Early Assyrian period saw a strong influence from the Sumerian civilization. Archaeological finds, including pottery and a vase, from early Assur demonstrate this influence. The artwork from this period was heavily influenced by foreign powers, with a set of 87 alabaster figures of male and female worshippers from Assur before the rise of the Akkadian Empire greatly resembling Early Dynastic Sumerian figures.
2. Artistic Development: Artwork from the Early Assyrian period is characterized by a mix of stylized and naturalistic styles. Unique finds from this period include the head of a woman with inlaid eyes, eyebrows, and elaborate hair covering, and an ivory figurine of a nude woman. There were also large stone statues of rulers, figures of animals, and stone statues of naked women.
3. Architecture: The architectural style of ancient Assyria is evident in the surviving buildings and construction works, which were mostly constructed out of mudbrick. Limestone was used in works such as aqueducts and river walls, exposed to running water, and defensive fortifications. Large buildings were often built on top of foundation platforms or on mud brick foundations. Floors were typically made of rammed earth, covered in important rooms with carpets or reed mats.

These features reflect the cultural, artistic, and architectural developments that occurred during the Early Assyrian period, setting the stage for the later growth of the Assyrian civilization.

During the Early Assyrian period, the city of Assur was under the control of various powerful states and empires from southern Mesopotamia. The earliest known Assyrian king named Tudia appears to have lived in the mid 25th century BC.

However, it’s important to note that the city of Assur was not independent during this period. Instead, it was dominated by a sequence of powerful states and empires from southern Mesopotamia. In the Early Dynastic Period, Assur experienced considerable Sumerian influence, and for a time, it fell under the hegemony of the Sumerian city of Kish. From the 24th to 22nd centuries BC, Assur was part of the Akkadian Empire, serving as an administrative outpost in northern Mesopotamia.

In the final geopolitical stage preceding Assur’s independence, the city became a peripheral city within the Sumerian empire of the Third Dynasty of Ur (c. 2112–2004 BC).

The first king to establish Assur as an independent city-state was Puzur-Ashur I, who ruled around 2025 BC . His reign marked the beginning of the Old Assyrian period, following the Early Assyrian period.

Thus, the first kings of the Early Assyrian period were instrumental in laying the groundwork for the development of the Assyrian nation, which eventually emerged as an independent city-state under Puzur-Ashur I.

What Were Some Of The Most Significant Events

During the Early Assyrian period, several significant events and conflicts took place, which had a profound impact on the development of the Assyrian civilization.

1. Conquest by the Akkadian Empire: Around 2300 BC, the city of Assur was conquered by the Akkadian Empire. This event marked a significant shift in Assyrian history, as it placed the city under the control of a larger empire. It also led to increased interaction with other cultures and the spread of new ideas and technologies.
2. Influence of the Sumerian Empire: Before the rise of the Akkadian Empire, Assur was influenced by the Sumerian Empire. The Sumerians were known for their advanced writing system, agricultural techniques, and urban planning. Their influence on Assur helped shape its early development.
3. Formation of the Third Dynasty of Ur: The formation of the Third Dynasty of Ur around 2112–2004 BC marked a significant political event in the Early Assyrian period. The city of Assur became a peripheral city within this Sumerian empire, which further influenced its development.

These events laid the groundwork for the subsequent growth and development of the Assyrian civilization, shaping its cultural, political, and social structures.

These features reflect the cultural, artistic, and architectural developments that occurred during the Early Assyrian period, setting the stage for the later growth of the Assyrian civilization.