13. The Assyrians - Empire of Iron

In the lowlands of Northern Iraq, a series of enormous cities lie crumbling in ruins. In this episode, find out about one of the most remarkable ancient civilizations: the society known today as the neo‑Assyrian Empire. Discover how the Assyrians built their empire out of the ashes of the Bronze Age, and built an empire of iron that lasted for centuries. Explore the extraordinary flourishing of art and technology that they fostered. And finally, discover what happened to cause their final, devastating collapse. 00:00 - Intro 9:59 - The Fertile Crescent 16:29 - Ashur 27:41 - The Bronze Age Collapse 33:01 - Tiglath-Pileser I 39:40 - Dating and Year Names 42:18 - The Assyrian Army 44:36 - Ashurnasirpal's Conquests 51:24 - Reforming the Army 1:02:15 - Babylon 1:05:55 - Life in the Empire 1:08:10 - Nineveh 1:14:40 - Assyrian Belief 1:16:35 - Cylinder Seals 1:19:40 - Drama of the Sargonid Kings 1:21:43 - The Scourging of Elam 1:22:57 - Campaign against Judah 1:40:10 - Babylon rebels 1:45:00 - The End of Sennacherib 1:55:15 - Esarhaddon 2:04:20 - The Prophecy 2:09:10 - Ashurbanipal's Golden Age 2:30:35 - The Collapse Begins 2:36:00 - The Medes 2:37:02 - Enemies Unite 2:49:33 - The Fall of Assyria 2:55:15 - Austen Henry Layard Visits Nineveh 2:58:53 - Final Poem