An essential look at the ancient world

At its height in 660 BCE, the kingdom of Assyria stretched from the Mediterranean Sea to the Persian Gulf. It was the first empire the world had ever seen. Here, historian Eckart Frahm tells the epic story of Assyria and its formative role in global history. Assyria’s wide-ranging conquests have long been known from the Hebrew Bible and later Greek accounts. But nearly two centuries of research now permit a rich picture of the Assyrians and their empire beyond the battlefield: their vast libraries and monumental sculptures, their elaborate trade and information networks, and the crucial role played by royal women.

A stunning and authoritative account of a civilization essential to understanding the ancient world and our own.

Review Quote

"An extremely readable introduction to Assyria and the Assyrians, from their origins to their ultimate demise.” —Eric Cline

Additional Book Details