Assyrian Empire Timeline - Complete History

The Assyrian Empire was one of the most powerful empires of the ancient world, dominating the Near East for over a millennium. At its height, it controlled territory from Egypt to Iran and from Anatolia to the Persian Gulf.

Old Assyrian Period (2025 BCE - 1750 BCE)

The earliest phase of Assyrian history, centered on the city of Ashur. This period is famous for the Assyrian trade colonies (karums) in Anatolia, particularly at Kanesh.

Erishum I (1974-1935 BCE)

Established the Assyrian trade colonies (karums) in Anatolia, making Assyria a major commercial power.

1960 BCE - Established Karum Kanesh, the most important Assyrian trading colony

Shamshi-Adad I (1808-1776 BCE)

Amorite conqueror who created a vast kingdom encompassing Assyria, Mari, and parts of Anatolia.

1808 BCE - Conquered Ashur and established control

1796 BCE - Conquered the kingdom of Mari on the Euphrates

Middle Assyrian Period (1392 BCE - 1056 BCE)

A period of Assyrian resurgence following the decline of the Mitanni kingdom. Assyria emerged as a major military power.

Ashur-uballit I (1363-1328 BCE)

Founder of the Middle Assyrian Empire who freed Assyria from Mitanni domination.

1350 BCE - Exchanged diplomatic letters with Pharaoh Akhenaten (Amarna Letters)

Tukulti-Ninurta I (1243-1207 BCE)

Conquered Babylon and brought the statue of Marduk to Assyria. Built the new capital Kar-Tukulti-Ninurta.

1235 BCE - Captured Babylon and took King Kashtiliash IV prisoner

Tiglath-Pileser I (1114-1076 BCE)

Great warrior king who reached the Mediterranean and defeated the Mushki (Phrygians).

1100 BCE - Led campaigns to the Phoenician coast, receiving tribute from Byblos, Sidon, and Arvad

Neo-Assyrian Empire - Early Period (911 BCE - 745 BCE)

The revival of Assyrian power under warrior kings who rebuilt the empire through military conquest.

Ashurnasirpal II (883-859 BCE)

Brutal but effective conqueror who rebuilt Kalhu (Nimrud) as the new capital.

879 BCE - Reached the Mediterranean coast and received tribute from Phoenician cities

864 BCE - Grand Inauguration Banquet for 69,574 guests at the Northwest Palace

Shalmaneser III (858-824 BCE)

Fought numerous campaigns including the famous Battle of Qarqar against a coalition including King Ahab of Israel.

853 BCE - Battle of Qarqar against a coalition of 12 kings

841 BCE - Received tribute from King Jehu of Israel (depicted on the Black Obelisk)

Neo-Assyrian Empire - Sargonid Dynasty (745 BCE - 609 BCE)

The height of Assyrian power under the Sargonid kings. The largest empire the world had yet seen.

Tiglath-Pileser III (745-727 BCE)

Reformed the Assyrian army and administration. Conquered Babylon and much of the Levant.

732 BCE - Destroyed Damascus and killed King Rezin

729 BCE - Assumed the throne of Babylon as King Pulu

Sargon II (722-705 BCE)

Founder of the Sargonid dynasty. Conquered Samaria (Fall of Israel) and built Dur-Sharrukin (Khorsabad).

722 BCE - Fall of Samaria and deportation of Israelites (Lost Ten Tribes)

714 BCE - Major campaign against Urartu, sacking the temple at Musasir

Sennacherib (705-681 BCE)

Made Nineveh the greatest city in the world. Famous for the siege of Jerusalem and destruction of Babylon.

701 BCE - Siege of Jerusalem against King Hezekiah

689 BCE - Complete destruction of Babylon

Esarhaddon (681-669 BCE)

Rebuilt Babylon and conquered Egypt - the height of Assyrian territorial expansion.

671 BCE - Conquered Egypt, capturing Memphis and driving out Pharaoh Taharqa

Ashurbanipal (669-631 BCE)

Last great Assyrian king. Created the famous Library of Nineveh. Crushed Elam and Babylon.

667 BCE - Reconquered Egypt and sacked Thebes

646 BCE - Destruction of Elam - sacked Susa

640 BCE - Assembled the Library of Nineveh, greatest cuneiform collection in history

Sin-shar-ishkun (627-612 BCE)

Last king to rule from Nineveh. Died when the city fell to the Medes and Babylonians.

614 BCE - Fall of Ashur to the Medes

612 BCE - Fall of Nineveh after three-month siege

Ashur-uballit II (612-609 BCE)

Last king of Assyria. Fought from Harran with Egyptian support until final defeat.

609 BCE - Failed attempt to retake Harran. End of the Assyrian Empire.

Key Capitals of the Assyrian Empire

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