Études Mesopotemiennes 2 is in two parts. The first part corresponds to the proceedings of a colloquium organised by Maria Grazia Masetti-Rouault. Its aim was to explore the crisis of the State and the Monarchy between the 13th and 10th centuries in northern Mesopotamia and Syria from archaeological, textual and iconographic sources. The second part is dedicated to archaeological and textual studies from three archaeological sites that are currently being excavated in Iraqi Kurdistan : Qasr Shemamoq, Kilik Mishik and Kunara.

This detailed survey of the archaeological evidence reassesses the Middle Assyrian period, when the first Assyrian empire can be said to have been founded as a result of large scale military expansion. The chronology of expansion is reviewed in the light of recent results from excavations, and a more nuanced view of the empire's preceived decline in the 12th century BC. Tenu also examines the organisation and administration of the empire and the integration of non-Assyrian provinces and populations, as well as the organisation of the Assyrian military. French text.