Neo-Assyrian Empire

Q: What was the Neo-Assyrian Empire?

The Neo-Assyrian Empire (912-612 BCE) was the last stage of the Assyrian Empire before its fall.

Q: Why is it called the Neo-Assyrian Empire?

The term "Neo-Assyrian Empire" is a modern designation to differentiate the last stage of the Assyrian Empire from the earlier stages. It is so-called because scholars believe that the kings of this period used newer methods of rule and warfare than before.

Q: Why is the Neo-Assyrian Empire famous?

The Neo-Assyrian Empire is famous for its kings such as Sargon II, Sennacherib, Esarhaddon, and Ashurbanipal who were known for their military victories, building projects, and cultural advancement as much as for their reported cruelty and ruthlessness toward enemies.

Q: Why did the Neo-Assyrian Empire fall?

The Neo-Assyrian Empire fell because it had grown too large to maintain and because Ashurbanipal's successors were ineffective rulers. Rebellious states within the empire broke away after 627 BCE and the Assyrian cities were sacked and burned in 612 BCE.

Joshua J. Mark

Celebrate Our Anniversary with Trivia!

Join us on August 23 for a free virtual trivia party featuring questions about ancient civilizations, U.S. history, unusual historical facts, pop culture, and more.

$513 / $5000

Definition

The Neo-Assyrian Empire (912-612 BCE) was the final stage of the Assyrian Empire, stretching throughout Mesopotamia, the Levant, Egypt, Anatolia, and into parts of Persia and Arabia. Beginning with the reign of Adad Nirari II (912-891 BCE), the Neo-Assyrian kings made great territorial expansions to forge the greatest empire in the world up to that time.

More about: Neo-Assyrian Empire

Timeline

912 BCE - 891 BCE
Reign of Adad Nirari II who revitalizes kingdom and secures borders.
912 BCE - 612 BCE
Reign of the Neo-Assyrian Empire in the Near East.
900 BCE - 800 BCE
Surviving sphinxes from the Assyrian civilization, usually placed as guards outside palaces.
884 BCE - 859 BCE
Rule of king Ashurnasirpal II of Assyria who moves capital from Ashur to Kalhu (Caleh).
853 BCE
Babylonian kings depend on Assyrian military support.
824 BCE - 811 BCE
Reign of King Shamshi Adad V under whose reign civil war erupts.
745 BCE - 727 BCE
Reign of Tiglath Pileser III who restructures government and military and expands empire.
729 BCE
Babylon is occupied by Assyrians.
727 BCE - 722 BCE
Reign of Shalmaneser V.
722 BCE - 705 BCE
Peak of the Assyrian Empire under the reign of Sargon II.
722 BCE
Israel is conquered by Assyria.
705 BCE
Sennacherib moves capital from Dur-Sharrukin to Nineveh.
705 BCE - 681 BCE
Reign of king Sennacherib of Assyria.
701 BCE
King Sennacherib of Assyria sacks the city of Lachish in Judah but fails to take the capital Jerusalem.
681 BCE - 669 BCE
Reign of Esarhaddon who expands the empire.
c. 676 BCE
Scythians and Mannaens attack Assyria.
671 BCE
Second Egyptian Campaign, Assyrian army successfully captures Memphis and conquers Egypt.
671 BCE
Egypt is conquered by Assyria.
668 BCE - 627 BCE
Reign of Ashurbanipal, the last great king of Assyria.
668 BCE
Ashurbanipal succeeds his father as King of the Assyrian Empire.
653 BCE
Egypt expels Assyrians.
648 BCE
War between Assyria and the Elamites.
627 BCE
Revolts break out following the death of Ashurbanipal, empire begins to fail.
627 BCE
Death of King Ashurbanipal.
612 BCE
The great Assyrian cities of Ashur, Kalhu, and Nineveh are sacked and burned by the Medes, Babylonians, and Persian forces.
612 BCE
Downfall of the Assyrian empire.