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Organising an Empire: The Assyrian Way
  • Level Foundation
  • Duration 19 hours
  • Course by Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München (LMU)
  • Offered by

About

Discover the mighty kingdom of Assyria, which came to be the world’s first great empire three thousand years ago. From the 9th to the 7th centuries BC, during the imperial phase of Assyria’s long history, modern day northern Iraq was the central region of a state reaching from the Mediterranean Sea to the Persian Gulf, and incorporating what is now Iraq, Syria, and Lebanon, as well as half of Israel, and wide parts of south-eastern Turkey, and Western Iran. In its geographical extent, this state was unprecedentedly large, and the distinct geography of the Middle East, with deserts and high mountain ranges, posed challenges to communication and cohesion. What were the mechanisms that kept the Empire running? This course explores the methods the Assyrian government employed to ensure unity and maintain loyalty across vast distances, using traditional as well as innovative strategies. Some of these imperial techniques have marked parallels in the ways modern multi-national corporations are operating, others will strike you as profoundly alien. This course focusses on how the Assyrians organised their empire by analysing key aspects, namely: · The CEO – the king, a religious, political and military leader, who is charged to govern by his master, the god Assur; · Home Office – the royal palace in the central region and the royal court that form the administrative centre of the state; · The Regional Managers – the governors and client-rulers to whom local power is delegated; · Human Resources – the Empire’s people are its most precious assets, its consumers and its key product, as the goal of the imperial project was to create “Assyrians”; an approach with lasting repercussions that still reverberate in the Middle East today; and finally · The Fruits of Empire – it takes a lot of effort, so what are the rewards? When we explore these topics we will contextualise them with information about the lives led by ordinary Assyrian families. Taking this course will provide you with an overview of the political, social, religious, and military history of the world’s first superpower. It will give you insight into the geography and climatic conditions of the Middle East and contribute to your understanding of the opportunities and challenges of that region. It will present you with a vision of the Middle East at a time when its political and religious structures were very different from today.

Modules

1: Introducing Ancient Assyria

    • 5 Videos
    • 1 Readings
    • 1 Discussion
    • 2 Assignment
Show info about module content

2 Assignment

  • Week 1: Quiz 1
  • Week 1: Final Quiz

1 Discussions

  • Writing in Cuneiform

5 Videos

  • Welcome to the Course
  • Introduction to Ancient Assyria
  • Talking about the Environment and Living Conditions
  • Focus on Writing in Assyria
  • Ask the Experts: Why Study the Assyrian Empire?

1 Readings

  • A Map of the Middle East, with Key Cities, Ancient and Modern

Meet the CEO: The Assyrian King

    • 6 Videos
    • 1 Readings
    • 4 Assignment
Show info about module content

4 Assignment

  • Week 2: Quiz 1
  • Week 2: Quiz 2
  • Week 2: Quiz 3
  • Week 2: Final Quiz

6 Videos

  • Key Theme: The God and His Ruler
  • Talking about Temples and Religious Festivals
  • Focus on Petitioning the Gods: The Importance of Divination
  • Assyrian History, Part 1: Leaving Assur
  • How Do We Know About the Move to Kalhu?
  • Ask the Experts: The Perks and Drawbacks of Kingship

1 Readings

  • Two Kings: Tiglath-pileser III and Shalmaneser V

A Visit to the Head Office: The Royal Capital and Court

    • 7 Videos
    • 1 Discussion
    • 4 Assignment
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4 Assignment

  • Week 3: Quiz 1
  • Week 3: Quiz 2
  • Week 3: Quiz 3
  • Week 3: Final Quiz

1 Discussions

  • Ashurnasirpal's Palace at Kalhu in 3D

7 Videos

  • Key Theme: The Royal Capital and Court
  • Talking About Family Life, Part 1
  • Talking About Family Life, Part 2
  • Focus on The King's Scholars
  • Assyrian History, Part 2: Empire Builders
  • How Do We Know About the Rebellion Against Shalmaneser III?
  • Ask the Experts: Your Dream Job at Court

Regional Managers: Outsourcing Power

    • 6 Videos
    • 1 Readings
    • 4 Assignment
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4 Assignment

  • Week 4: Quiz 1
  • Week 4: Quiz 2
  • Week 4: Quiz 3
  • Week 4: Final Quiz

6 Videos

  • Key Lecture: All the King's Men: Governors and Client Rulers
  • Talking about Eunuchs
  • Focus on Long-Distance Communications
  • Assyrian History, Part 3: Moving On
  • How Do We Know About the Death of Sargon II?
  • Ask the Experts: Where Would You Live?

1 Readings

  • Two More Kings: Sargon II and Sennacherib

Human Resources: Commodities, Consumers, and Product

    • 6 Videos
    • 2 Readings
    • 3 Assignment
Show info about module content

3 Assignment

  • Week Five: Quiz 1
  • Week 5: Quiz 2
  • Week 5: Final Quiz

6 Videos

  • Key Theme: Making Assyrians
  • Talking About Women's Lives
  • Focus on Population Management
  • Assyrian History, Part 4: The Covenant
  • How Do We Know About Esarhaddon's Covenant?
  • Ask the Experts: How Would You Be Living?

2 Readings

  • Your Last Two Kings: Esarhaddon and Assurbanipal
  • Copy of Your Last Two Kings: Esarhaddon and Assurbanipal

The Fruits of Empire: Expenses and Revenue

    • 6 Videos
    • 1 Discussion
    • 3 Assignment
Show info about module content

3 Assignment

  • Week 6: Quiz 1
  • Week 6: Quiz 2
  • Week 6: Final Quiz

1 Discussions

  • The Library of Ashurbanipal

6 Videos

  • Key Theme: Why an Empire?
  • Talking about Luxury
  • Assyrian History, Part 5: The End of Assyria
  • How Do We Know About The End of Assyria?
  • Ask the Experts: The Lasting Achievements of the Assyrian Empire
  • Good Bye!

Auto Summary

Discover the mighty Assyrian Empire with "Organising an Empire: The Assyrian Way." This foundation-level course, offered by Coursera, delves into the political, social, religious, and military history of Assyria, exploring how it maintained cohesion across vast distances. Led by expert instructors, you'll learn about the roles of the king, governors, and the people, and draw parallels to modern multi-national corporations. Ideal for those interested in Arts & Humanities, the course spans approximately 1140 minutes and is available through a Starter subscription.

Karen Radner
Instructor

Karen Radner