At the height of its power around 660 BC, the Assyrian empire, centred in northern Iraq, wielded dominance from Egypt to Iran. This vast region was ruled by a series of kings who showcased their power by constructing magnificent palaces adorned with superlative sculptures depicting royal rituals, battles and hunts. Established by military might, the empire thrived under administrators who relocated tens of thousands of people to serve the state, and scholars who interpreted divine will. This book relates the history of Assyria through the lens of its royal family and the officials who commissioned its superb buildings, art and literature, and laid the foundations for the later empires of Babylon and Persia.

A concise but never superficial account of the fascinating world of ancient Assyria. Beautifully illustrated, accessible and lively, this is a great introduction to an empire that left a lasting impact on the history of the Middle East and the cultural memory of the West. * Eckart Frahm, Professor of Assyriology, Yale University, and author of Assyria: The Rise and Fall of the World's First Empire *
A fascinating book. Paul Collins brings the ancient Assyrians to life, from the earliest inhabitants of Assyria around 8,500 years ago to their modern descendants. Excerpts from ancient sources allow us to hear directly from the people who occupied this long-ago world, and dramatic close-ups of ancient artworks help us to see them in a new way. * Amanda H. Podany, Professor Emeritus of History, California State Polytechnic University, Pomona *
An outstanding achievement. Paul Collins incorporates a huge amount of work that has been done over the past several decades to produce a new and more holistic view of Assyria than has previously been possible. His approach will feel refreshing even for specialists and will provide a wonderful foundation for students, moving the field forward in a meaningful way. Collins offers a deeply researched and nuanced picture of both the Assyrian court and the workings of an ancient empire, discussing the roles of figures such as queens and high officials in depth and providing a rich narrative of the political history of Assyria, from its origins to the end of Assyria’s empire and beyond. Although it appears in a series on “Lost Civilizations”, this book also balances the significance of discoveries from the nineteenth century onward with a strong sense of long-term cultural connections, including the development of later traditions around ancient Assyria and Assyrian identity today. Collins delivers all of this with a rare clarity, laying out in simple prose the results of a great deal of careful scholarly judgement and consideration of difficult sources. * Michael Seymour, Associate Curator of Ancient Near Eastern Art, The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York *

Paul Collins is Keeper of the Middle East Department at the British Museum. Specializing in the art and archaeology of Mesopotamia and Iran, his books include Mountains and Lowlands: Ancient Iran and Mesopotamia (2016) and The Sumerians (Reaktion Books, 2021).