In ancient traditions, Assyria was the first world empire in a
series that continued with Persia, Macedonia, and Rome. After Rome,
we imagine the series bifurcating into a Western trajectory (from
Charlemagne to Napoleon and the Third Reich) and an Oriental
trajectory (from the Parthians and Sasanians to the Abbasids until
the modern Caliphate). Assyria, often overlooked or slighted by
modern studies of empire, still maintains our interest because it
provides an example of the “simple form” of empire and
imperialism, before subsequent developments resulted in structures
of greater complexity. Most important among basic features of
“empire” is the “imperial mission”—the mandate given by
the gods or God to the emperor to extend, through conquest or
persuasion, annexation or hegemony, the only legitimate power of
the central state to the entire (known) world. This accomplishment
can only be ideological, since in practice no empire, ancient or
modern, could actually conquer the world. Nonetheless, ancient
empires could come closer to the target, because their known world,
the mental map of their oikoumene, was limited to their close
surroundings. Assyria, by bringing the most populated and civilized
countries of its time (surrounded by mountains, seas, deserts) into
submission came close to fulfilling its mission. In our modern,
Western perspective, however, the term empire is usually applied to
alien and despotic (mainly Oriental) polities, while we in the West
prefer to belong to more democratic “alliances.” Nevertheless,
ancient Assyria still retains its value as a prototype of the
“empire of evil” against which democracy fights and must
resist. This book outlines the basic features of Assyrian
imperialism within the framework of the general development of the
imperial idea, all the while insisting on noting comparative
material. The intent is twofold: (1) to better understand Assyria
through comparison with later empires, and (2) to underscore the
relevance of the “Assyrian model” and its influence on later
history. Although the first intention profits ancient historians,
the second goal is addressed to modern and contemporary historians,
who too often ignore (or at least disregard) the long historical
background lying behind more recent developments. The world in
general, in the present climate of globalization, deserves to be
better informed about pre-modern and non-Western trajectories of
world history.
General
Is the information for this product incomplete, wrong or inappropriate?
Let us know about it.
Does this product have an incorrect or missing image?
Send us a new image.
Is this product missing categories?
Add more categories.
Review This Product
No reviews yet - be the first to create one!
Welcome to Loot.co.za!
Sign in / Register |Wishlists & Gift Vouchers |Help | Advanced search
(11)
