Cities and Settlement in the

Neo-Assyrian Period

Eleanor Barbanes

Neo-Assyrians emerged as formidable power (10th century)--> territorial expansion & political consolidation

Reached new levels of size and grandeur, funded by wealth of conquest (to about 600 BC)

3 categories of Assyrian cities: Continuously existing settlement (Assur) Re-founded settlement (Nimrud, Nineveh) New foundation (Khorsabad)

Neo-Assyrians emerged as formidable power (10th century)--> territorial expansion & political consolidation

Reached new levels of size and grandeur, funded by wealth of conquest (to about 600 BC)

3 categories of Assyrian cities: Continuously existing settlement (Assur) Re-founded settlement (Nimrud, Nineveh) New foundation (Khorsabad)

New capitals created were located in close proximity to previous capital “sufficient spatial distance was required to disrupt

the existing patterns of socio-political organization, but not so much as to make the new capital inaccessible”

Previous capital never fully abandoned Why move at all?

“momentous gesture of constructing new cities[/renovation]…furthered imperial goals by establishing legitimacy for the prevailing government and creating a new location for the symbolic representation of the king’s claim to power, wealth, and prestige”

New capitals created were located in close proximity to previous capital “sufficient spatial distance was required to disrupt

the existing patterns of socio-political organization, but not so much as to make the new capital inaccessible”

Previous capital never fully abandoned Why move at all?

“momentous gesture of constructing new cities[/renovation]…furthered imperial goals by establishing legitimacy for the prevailing government and creating a new location for the symbolic representation of the king’s claim to power, wealth, and prestige”

Patterns in regional planning

Patterns in regional planning

Shift toward N. Mesopotamia--> late 10th century Need for agricultural land--> large

populations need sufficient water supply Agricultural surplus possible Greater degree of topographical variation S. Mesopotamia--> flat, less water, not as

much farmable land “Southern versus a northern tradition”

Shift toward N. Mesopotamia--> late 10th century Need for agricultural land--> large

populations need sufficient water supply Agricultural surplus possible Greater degree of topographical variation S. Mesopotamia--> flat, less water, not as

much farmable land “Southern versus a northern tradition”

capital at forefront, complex hierarchy of smaller settlements (farmsteads, villages, etc.)

Capital received bulk of resources, most fortified, extravagant symbolic imagery

Dramatic increases in settlement North Jazira Survey--> pattern of dispersed

rural settlements (influx of people to countryside), assert/solidify Assyrian presence

Tell Beydar Survey--> high mounds abandoned by Assyrians, knowingly reject this practice

capital at forefront, complex hierarchy of smaller settlements (farmsteads, villages, etc.)

Capital received bulk of resources, most fortified, extravagant symbolic imagery

Dramatic increases in settlement North Jazira Survey--> pattern of dispersed

rural settlements (influx of people to countryside), assert/solidify Assyrian presence

Tell Beydar Survey--> high mounds abandoned by Assyrians, knowingly reject this practice

Intentional avoidance of the high mound settlement? Evidence in one inscription--> Sargon

orders removal from mounds and re-build at bottom

Height reserved for cities of higher rank? Symbolic importance

Intentional avoidance of the high mound settlement? Evidence in one inscription--> Sargon

orders removal from mounds and re-build at bottom

Height reserved for cities of higher rank? Symbolic importance

Patterns in Urban PlanningPatterns in Urban Planning

Characteristics of Neo-Assyria Massive size compared to previous Complex central administration Greater concentration of people Size does not necessarily equal population--

> space devoted to gardens,grazing land, etc.

Location near rivers--> control waterway New urban form--> citadel with closely-

linked temple-palace unit, separated from rest of town by height or walls

Characteristics of Neo-Assyria Massive size compared to previous Complex central administration Greater concentration of people Size does not necessarily equal population--

> space devoted to gardens,grazing land, etc.

Location near rivers--> control waterway New urban form--> citadel with closely-

linked temple-palace unit, separated from rest of town by height or walls

New urban form--> Citadel (Palace/Temple)

New urban form--> Citadel (Palace/Temple)

Palace given increased space--> I.e.. importance? Ramp--> bring king to door of his palace,

easier for chariots to rush/defend citadel Temple importance still relevant,

ziggurat’s height still rivals other structures

Symbolic significance--> Close relations between administrative and religious institutions King as high priest, national religion

Palace given increased space--> I.e.. importance? Ramp--> bring king to door of his palace,

easier for chariots to rush/defend citadel Temple importance still relevant,

ziggurat’s height still rivals other structures

Symbolic significance--> Close relations between administrative and religious institutions King as high priest, national religion

Khorsabad: A Case studyKhorsabad: A Case study Site not previously built upon Uniquely Built--> continuous sequence Records well kept--> Sargon

King closely involved in process Provincial governor responsible for project Borrowed funds from private lenders Exalts grandeur of project & city

Choice of location (Reasons?): Better Administrative control of Northern fertile land Assert imperial presence Close to Nineveh Water supply--> no more advantage than elsewhere

Site not previously built upon Uniquely Built--> continuous sequence Records well kept--> Sargon

King closely involved in process Provincial governor responsible for project Borrowed funds from private lenders Exalts grandeur of project & city

Choice of location (Reasons?): Better Administrative control of Northern fertile land Assert imperial presence Close to Nineveh Water supply--> no more advantage than elsewhere

Why Khorsabad? No topographical advantage River location not unique

More irregularities (intentional?) Temple of Nabu out of alignment with all

other citadel structures--> planets? Seven gates assymmetrical, uneven/random

locations, no relation to road system outside city

Citadel meets fortification wall at slanted angle

Quadrilateral shape of Khorsabad Most mesopotamian ground plans were square?

Why Khorsabad? No topographical advantage River location not unique

More irregularities (intentional?) Temple of Nabu out of alignment with all

other citadel structures--> planets? Seven gates assymmetrical, uneven/random

locations, no relation to road system outside city

Citadel meets fortification wall at slanted angle

Quadrilateral shape of Khorsabad Most mesopotamian ground plans were square?

Mesopotamian tradition of seeing universe as square, reflected in ground plans Neo-Assyrians knowingly reject this, stands

out--> new cosmological meanings for them?

New expression of Imperial ideology, identity, Organization--> unite administrative/religious roles of king

Mesopotamian tradition of seeing universe as square, reflected in ground plans Neo-Assyrians knowingly reject this, stands

out--> new cosmological meanings for them?

New expression of Imperial ideology, identity, Organization--> unite administrative/religious roles of king

Barbanes, Eleanor; 2003. Planning an empire: city and settlement in the Neo-Assyrian period,Bulletin of the Canadian Society for Mesopotamian Studies 38: 15-22.

Barbanes, Eleanor; 2003. Planning an empire: city and settlement in the Neo-Assyrian period,Bulletin of the Canadian Society for Mesopotamian Studies 38: 15-22.