The Beginning
Assyria is located in north Mesopotamia, and divided by two great rivers, the Tigris and the Euphrates. Strategically surrounding the Tigris and the two Zabs are the Assyrian cities of Nineveh, Ashur, Arbel, Nimrod and Arrapkha. The Assyrian land is rich and fertile, with growing fields found in every region. Two large areas comprise the Assyrians with crops: the Arbel plain and the Nineveh plain. To this day these areas remain critical crop producers. This is from where Assyria derived their strength feeding a large population of professionals and craftsman, which allowed it to expand and advance the art of civilization.
Assyria was a river Valley Civilization and their vast empire was greatly effected by their geography and climate. Their geography caused them to be surrounded by many other civilizations making them isolated. This isolation became used as a strength instead of a weakness, giving the Assyrians a chance to grow in the size of their Civilization. Their climate was warm in the summer, cold and wet in the winters, not having great weather during winter time caused the Assyrians to rely on trading.
Assyria was a river Valley Civilization and their vast empire was greatly effected by their geography and climate. Their geography caused them to be surrounded by many other civilizations making them isolated. This isolation became used as a strength instead of a weakness, giving the Assyrians a chance to grow in the size of their Civilization. Their climate was warm in the summer, cold and wet in the winters, not having great weather during winter time caused the Assyrians to rely on trading.
- The Assyrians lived on flat exposed farm land
- Land was fertile and every region in the empire had fields of produce
- Two critical crop producers in the empire where the people of the Arbel plain and the Nineveh plain
- These groups helped Assyrians receive food needed to feed its enormous population
- Depended on the Tigris River for water, transportation and trading
- Expanded their civilization and its art
- Lack of natural barriers like mountains or rivers caused them to build a strong army
- Apples were grown along with figs, olives, pomegranates, almonds, mulberries, and vines
- Grains were harvested: barley and wheat
- Rice was grown and popular in Babylonia
- Cotton was also grown
- Tin, lead, textiles and grain for metals and stones
- Swords
- Spears
The Fall
Eventually the geography of Assyrian land became their downfall along with other things because despite the magnificence of Assurbanipal's court, Assyria began a rapid decline during his reign. The military aspect of the empire was its most prominent feature, for Assyria was prepared for conflict from beginning to end. Because of the ever-present need for men to fight the incessant battles, agriculture suffered, and ultimately the Assyrians had to import food. The division of society did not help supply a solid base for the overgrown Assyrian state.The lavish expenditures of Assurbanipal on warfare and building drained the resources of the empire and contributed to its weakness. The king of the Medes, Cyaxares, and the Babylonian ruler Nabopolassar, joined forces and took Nineveh in 612 B.C. Under the son of Nabopolassar, Nebuchadnezzar, Babylonia was renewed in power, and the great-grandson of Cyaxares, Cyrus the Great, was to establish the Persian Empire, on the land that once was Assyria.