If today the Assyrians are remembered at all, they are usually encountered in two ways. There is their image in the Bible in which they are found as an imperial power which destroyed the kingdom of Israel and took the ‘twelve tribes’ into captivity. A generation later they attacked Jerusalem, the capital of Judah. It is this attack which inspired Lord Byron to write:

         The Assyrians came down like a wolf on the fold

         And his cohorts were gleaming in purple and gold.

Largely in consequence of the Bible and of Byron’s poem, the Assyrians have the reputation for ruthless savagery. They have been much maligned. Certainly the Assyrians could be aggressive and merciless in their maintenance of order, but they were the defenders of civilization, not barbarian destroyers.

This course explores the nature of life and thought during the time of Assyria’s apogee, when it ruled a huge empire stretching from northern Iraq to Anatolia and Egypt, and was governed from great cities such as Nineveh, and Nimrud. Through a combination of textual studies, archaeology and the examination of material culture, the course examines the ideology of empire and of kingship, as well as the literature, art, religion, and daily life of the Assyrians. Attention will also be given to the archaeological ‘rediscovery’ of Assyria and will analyse the recent destruction of Assyrian sites by ISIS, with an eye to the future progress of Assyriological research.

• demonstrate knowledge and critical understanding of the history and culture of ancient Assyria.
• demonstrate a knowledge of and ability to deal with diverse primary source materials and to evaluate them appropriately.
• demonstrate a knowledge and critical understanding of modern theories and debates relating to the history, historiography, archaeology and material cultures of ancient Iraq, and an ability to evaluate the evidence with precision in relation to these debates.
• demonstrate a knowledge of and an ability to deal with contemporary issues in contemporary perceptions of the Mesopotamian past.

discuss these issues in written work and in classroom discussion with coherent and logical arguments, clearly, coherently and correctly expressed.

10 2-hour teaching sessions;; independent study; 1 coursework feedback tutorial; 1 revision session

The teaching sessions offer a combination of traditional lecturing, class discussions, and other exercises. Lectures present an outline of the evidence for Assyrian history and culture, and provide a framework for the interpretation of that evidence by introducing the major approaches and debates that have shaped research into the subject. Slides and, where appropriate, handouts are used to illustrate the material discussed.

The lectures are a useful starting point for further discussion and exercises taking place during the teaching sessions. This provides an opportunity for students to analyse and discuss key issues and topics in the module, and to get feedback on their ideas from the tutor and their peers. Handouts with material for study and suggestions for preparatory reading will be circulated prior to the sessions.

Independent study enables students to familiarize themselves with the primary source material and the most important modern approaches and debates on the subject. A reading list is provided, with guidance on key items of reading for major themes and lecture topics.

Coursework feedback tutorials provide students with an opportunity to get feedback and guidance on all aspects of their written work.

• analysis of different forms of historical evidence, including literary texts, inscriptions, and material evidence
• observation and visual analysis
• assimilating and synthesising complex information and ideas
• critical thinking skills, including evaluating evidence, assessing arguments, and challenging assumptions
• constructing and defending arguments based on evidence
• clear, accurate and effective communication of ideas and arguments in writing and in debate
• employing basic skills and conventions in the presentation and use of literary and material evidence
• contributing to group discussions
• using IT resources effectively
• independent working and time management
• bibliographic and referencing skills

The module will be assessed through a 2000-word essay (60%) and a creative project (40%).

• the discovery of Assyria in the nineteenth century
• Assyria in peril: ISIS attacks on ancient monuments
• Old and Middle Assyrian History
• Neo-Assyrian Empire
• Scribes and learning: cuneiform texts
• Mythology and religious practice
• Magic, divination and witchcraft
• Royal ideology
• Ruling the Empire: trade, administration and governance
• Palaces and the court
• Women, sex and gender
• Terror and warfare
• Art and propaganda
• Letters and correspondence
• The law
• The human in Assyrian thought
• Animal worlds
• Humour and satire

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