Acerca de este curso: 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.
Para quién es esta clase: This class is for people with an interest in the history of the Middle East and in the pre-modern world. It is for all those who want to reflect on the ways large and complex organisations function, be they states or corporations. And it is for all those who want to discover a long-lost culture that most people have never heard of – despite the fact that it once ruled the world! Whether it is a love of archaeology and history or a passion for politics or for business administration, you will have fun discovering ancient Assyria.
Enseñado por: Karen Radner, Prof. Dr.
Historisches Seminar Alte Geschichte
| Nivel | Beginner |
| Compromiso | 2 to 3 hours per week |
| Idioma | English |
| Cómo aprobar | Aprueba todas las tareas calificadas para completar el curso. |
| Calificaciones del usuario |
- Vídeo: Introduction to Ancient Assyria
- Reading: A Map of the Middle East, with Key Cities, Ancient and Modern
- Vídeo: Talking about the Environment and Living Conditions
- Vídeo: Focus on Writing in Assyria
- Discussion Prompt: Writing in Cuneiform
- Vídeo: Ask the Experts: Why Study the Assyrian Empire?
- Vídeo: Talking about Temples and Religious Festivals
- Vídeo: Focus on Petitioning the Gods: The Importance of Divination
- Vídeo: Assyrian History, Part 1: Leaving Assur
- Vídeo: How Do We Know About the Move to Kalhu?
- Reading: Two Kings: Tiglath-pileser III and Shalmaneser V
- Vídeo: Ask the Experts: The Perks and Drawbacks of Kingship
- Discussion Prompt: Ashurnasirpal's Palace at Kalhu in 3D
- Vídeo: Talking About Family Life, Part 1
- Vídeo: Talking About Family Life, Part 2
- Vídeo: Focus on The King's Scholars
- Vídeo: Assyrian History, Part 2: Empire Builders
- Vídeo: How Do We Know About the Rebellion Against Shalmaneser III?
- Vídeo: Ask the Experts: Your Dream Job at Court
- Vídeo: Talking about Eunuchs
- Vídeo: Focus on Long-Distance Communications
- Vídeo: Assyrian History, Part 3: Moving On
- Vídeo: How Do We Know About the Death of Sargon II?
- Reading: Two More Kings: Sargon II and Sennacherib
- Vídeo: Ask the Experts: Where Would You Live?
- Vídeo: Talking About Women's Lives
- Vídeo: Focus on Population Management
- Vídeo: Assyrian History, Part 4: The Covenant
- Vídeo: How Do We Know About Esarhaddon's Covenant?
- Reading: Your Last Two Kings: Esarhaddon and Assurbanipal
- Vídeo: Ask the Experts: How Would You Be Living?
- Vídeo: Talking about Luxury
- Vídeo: Assyrian History, Part 5: The End of Assyria
- Vídeo: How Do We Know About The End of Assyria?
- Vídeo: Ask the Experts: The Lasting Achievements of the Assyrian Empire
- Vídeo: Good Bye!
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This is such an amazing course! Prof.Radner has done an excellent job at presenting topics and organizing materials. Highly recommend this course to anyone who's interested in ancient civilizations.
An excellent course. If you have an interest in the Ancient World, politics or sociology, then this is a definite course for you.
Entertaining mooc about a fascinating ancient empire.
MH
I initially enrolled on this course just because at a casual glance, I thought it 'might be interesting.' Within the first video I was absolutely hooked! The subject matter in itself is fascinating, and it is engagingly presented in a variety of ways. 'Interesting' is an understatement, and I would definitely recommend this course to anyone considering it.