Publishers Weekly
01/02/2023
Yale historian Frahm (coeditor, Ancient Mesopotamia Speaks) delivers a comprehensive and accessible look at the rise, fall, and historical impact of the Assyrian Empire. From its beginnings at the city-state of Ashur in the 14th century BCE, Frahm documents the initial growth of the Assyrian kingdom, noting a pattern of setbacks and expansion up to the 744–727 BCE reign of Tiglath-pileser III, who more than doubled the size of the empire. From there, Frahm recounts the conflicts that brought Assyria to the height of its power and influence and profiles prominent kings including Sennacherib, whose attack on Jerusalem in 701 BCE is described in the Hebrew Bible, and Esarhaddon, who conquered Egypt in 671 BCE. Besieged by Babylonian and Median troops and buffeted by “climate-induced drought” and political turmoil, the Assyrian Empire collapsed around 612 BCE. Frahm makes a persuasive case that the more celebrated Persian, Greek, and Roman empires drew from Assyrian bureaucracies, communication systems, and arts, and details how modern-day war and terrorism in the Middle East threaten Assyrian and Babylonian artifacts. Sweeping in scope yet meticulously detailed, this is a worthy introduction to a significant yet lesser-known chapter of ancient history. (Apr.)
From the Publisher
"A sweeping, delightfully readable effort to remind us of Assyria’s place in history…Mr. Frahm balances a clear-eyed account of Assyria’s gruesome politics with empathetic portraits of everyday life.”—Wall Street Journal
"A work of remarkable synthesis. The range of its sources is truly extraordinary.”—Times (London)
“Sweeping in scope yet meticulously detailed, this is a worthy introduction to a significant yet lesser-known chapter of ancient history.”—Publishers Weekly
“A remarkable scholarly work and a masterful exploration of one of the most intriguing and influential civilizations of the ancient world…an essential addition to the libraries of history enthusiasts and scholars alike.”—World History
"An extremely readable introduction to Assyria and the Assyrians, from their origins to their ultimate demise. Frahm presents a wealth of knowledge and information in an accessible manner, and with relevance to today, which will be of interest to scholars, students, and members of the general public alike."—Eric Cline, author of 1177 B.C.
“Eckart Frahm has produced a compelling account of how the Assyrians built an empire that ruled over large territories and diverse peoples. Assyria offers us a new way to think about the formation and sustainability of an imperial model that has shaped human experiences for much of the past 3000 years. It is ancient history that remains relevant to this day.”—Edward J. Watts, author of Mortal Republic
“A superb, compelling, and exuberantly written history of the Assyrians, popularly known only as the bad guys of the Old Testament, but actually one of the most significant of all ancient Near Eastern empire builders. This book is filled with fascinating detail and cliché-busting analysis. Sweeping yet nuanced, Eckart Frahm challenges—and changes—the way we think about the Assyrians and the culture they fashioned.”—Lloyd Llewellyn-Jones, author of Persians
“Eckart Frahm has given us a history which jumps with life. From Assyria’s humble origins at mercantile Ashur to the smoking ruins of imperial Nineveh, Frahm animates a lost world with the authority and the eye of a master painter. This is Assyria with all its jealous princes, scheming viziers, exorcists, rebels, and vassals—its glittering palaces, besieged cities, and vast borderlands. Readers can rejoice knowing they hold in their hands a book both definitive and compelling.”—Seth Richardson, University of Chicago
“Eckart Frahm’s eminently readable Assyria is the most comprehensive account to date of the world’s first true empire. It will transform how we approach Assyria and its role in history.”—Gojko Barjamovic, Harvard University
June 2023 - AudioFile
Frahm's survey of Assyrian history from its Bronze Age beginnings, through its brief glory period as an empire, to its remnants in modern times is well served by Matthew Lloyd Davies's precise yet fluid narration. Davies's voice is cultured-sounding, clear--with a touch of huskiness--and pleasant. His modulations and emphases bring out the sense of the text, rising and falling with a subdued musicality. During brief opportunities to act, he lends amusing British accents to some ancient quotations. Though generally restrained, he renders the audiobook engagingly without seeming dry or pedantic and helps the listener move painlessly through passages laden with names, dates, and geographical references. There is much inherent interest in Frahm's history, and Davies helps to enhance it. W.M. © AudioFile 2023, Portland, Maine
