Assyria's administration

Assyria's administration

To facilitate communications between the capital and the provinces, the Assyrians developed an imperial road system with relay stations and guard posts, which was later taken over and extended by the Persians. The provincial administration was well organized and efficient and the subject peoples enjoyed the benefits of law, order, increased prosperity and peace, for the old interstate wars, such as those of Israel and Judah, had ended. The burdens of military service, forced labour and taxation were, however, heavy and Assyrian rule was sternly enforced. Rebellious cities were sacked and their leading men executed or mutilated. Mass deportation was regularly used to break the resistance of persistently troublesome peoples, such as the Jews of whom 27,000 were transferred from Samaria to other parts of the empire in 722 BC. Such methods were customary in the ancient Near East but never before had they been so systematically employed or on so vast a scale.

The eagle - headed deity, Ashur - most powerful
Assyrian god - holds a cone and a basket
representing the receptacle for divine gifts.

Much of the wealth obtained by tribute and tax was expended on the upkeep of the armies and imperial administration, and on the construction of great cities whose magnificence gave expression to the power of the Assyrian kings. Other kings displayed their personal grandeur in new palaces alongside those of their predecessors. These palaces functioned not only as a royal residence but also as the administrative centre of the empire and, as such, their completion was a matter for universal rejoicing. Ashurnasir-pal (883-859 BC) celebrated the opening of his palace at Kalkhu with a great feast to which were bidden representatives of all-his subjects and the 47,074 workers who had built the city.

The palaces, built of mud brick as was customary in Mesopotamia. were. gorgeously decorated and sumptuously furnished, materials, artists and craftsmen being drawn from different parts of the empire. The entrances and principal door ways were flanked by huge sculptures of guardian genii such as winged human headed bulls and winged lions. The walls of the throne-room, audience chambers and public courts were lined with lime stone slabs, carved in low relief with scenes of the king fighting, receiving tribute, hunting and feasting.