What was important for military success?
Complete the assignment using the PDF document (shared with you on Google Drive). You will post your answer/s in the comment box. I highly recommend that you draft your answer in a google document and then copy and paste your answer into the comment box.
Forum #1 “The Assyrian Military Machine”
Read and Contextualize: The Assyrian Empire - What was important for military success? - CHQ
Read Document: “The Assyrian Military Machine”
Answer Questions: Based on their own descriptions, what did Assyrian kings believe was important for military success? Do you think their account may be exaggerated? Why?
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Question 1: The Assyrian kings believed that military tactics, iron weaponry, horse driven chariots, and military machinery were the key factors to military success. Military tactics helped the Assyrians come up with battle strategies and improve their attack plans. Iron was the next step up in weaponry and their iron weapons gave them a rise above most civilizations. The horse driven chariots were the fast attacks that left surprise in the faces of most victims, for while horses came racing at them, bow men would shoot arrows from behind the speeding chariot. The military machinery was used to strike nobels, rebels, and enemies with fear. Their ways of torture helped keep people aware of their brutal superiority and warned others off. Therefor, drawing a conclusion to what is important for military success.
ReplyDeleteI agree in what you are saying because their surplus of iron weapons definitely gave them an advantage to other civilizations, and their line-up is ingenious no doubt about it.
DeleteI think that this explains very well all the different tactics that the Assyrians use. The chariots were said to be the strongest weapon that the Assyrians possessed. Iron weaponry like the spears helped the Assyrians in many battles, so iron weapons were really important to the Assyrians. All the other things you have are all really good.
DeleteI think that it explain well the different military tactics the Assyrians used. The fear that they implied on the people would have also been useful. Another military weapon that they possessed was the chariot.
Deletei agree, the Assyrians new weapons and technology in battle gave them advantage when taking on a bi battle.
DeleteI agree with this response because I read that they had a variety of military tactics and strategies to choose from.
DeleteI fully agree with you. You well explained the military success and the tactics. They would hammer city's walls with heavy, wheeled towers and armored battering rams while sappers dug tunnels to undermine the walls' foundations and cause them to collapse.
DeleteDuring the early civilizations many growing empires struggled to have the upper-hand, it was all a survival of the fittest technique. Due to this, the Assyrians were by far the fittest all through the near East. No doubt they were number one because of their military success, for that is what they were and still are, known for. Things that had been extremely vital for their military success were their organization (military line up, governing policies, etc.), weaponry, terrorism, and their god(s) (Doc1i. e, I, j, k, o, and p).
ReplyDeleteIf it hadn’t been for the Assyrians organization especially in regards to their military line up, I do in fact believe they wouldn’t have been nearly as powerful. As of 845 BC , there then ruler Shalmanese the third had put together an army of 120,000 men, who were sanctioned into different branches such as horse drawn war chariots, horsemen, war battering ram conductors, archers, and there ‘core’ a standing infantry of men. This combined with their advanced weaponry of iron shields, swords, chest armor etc. led a dominating, fear bearing army full or winning men(doc1i. I, h, j) (The Assyrians Master of War vid.).
On top of this, terrorism and the Assyrians religious beliefs are what held back captive and abused people of other civilizations from retaliation for so long. The Assyrians made it a point to not only conquer an empire but to also torture the inhabitants, especially if they tried to stand their ground. King Ashurnasirpal the second, probably the most violent of rulers wrote several entries of how he committed such callous and vile things here is an excerpt “…many I took alive; from some of these I cut off their hands to the wrist, from others I cut off their noses, ears and fingers; I put out the eyes of many of the soldiers…” These brutal negations were backed up by goddess of war, Ishtar. Military kings glorified her and went into many of these victories claiming to be “shielded by Ishtar” (doc1i. k, j) (The Assyrians Master of war vid.). This is what was important to the Assyrians they truly were masters of war.
I agree to what you’re saying because the Assyrians did prove that they were the fittest civilization in the East. With all their weaponry and armor, they proved that they were the best. Everything you put proved what the Assyrian kings believed were important for military success.
DeleteI agree with everything you said. With all of the examples you put you really proved that the Assyrians were very brutal. I especially agree with everything you put about their terrorism. They definitely worked really hard to make sure they were feared by everyone that they conquered. They made sure they had all the best weapons, and that their soldiers were well disciplined and ready to fight and use their well thought out brutal methods.
DeleteI shall agree that you made a very valid answer, for you had explained exactly what was believed to be the most vital parts in the Assyrians war success. The one thing I especially admired that you had caught one thing I had not, you mentioned their belief in their gods and that was quite important. SO good job. :)
DeleteI like how you explained your points, its easy to understand. I also wrote on how their military claimed to be well organized. With their organization came their discipline and also what you had stated about how if they weren't as organized they wouldn't have been as powerful.
DeleteBased on their description, the Assyrian kings believed that the use of torture and terrier, strong weapons made of iron, and an incredibly large military was what they believed was important for military success (doc 1i, b, e, f, i). They also believed that having well trained troops was important for military success (doc 1i, h). With the improved weaponry that the Assyrian acquired, they had a steady advantage over most of the civilization. This shows how they were able to conquer and go unmatched for so long.
ReplyDeleteThe Assyrian kings used torture to instill there superiority. King Ashurbanipal said,” I tore out the tongues of those whose slanderous mouth had uttered blasphemies against my god Ashur” (doc 1i, g). The Assyrians were truly the strongest empire of their time. Considering how cruel the Assyrians were, I think there account was not exaggerated because some of the things they did were documented. When they said the Assyrians burned cities and sent people into exile (Beck 96).
I totally agree with this. I agree with this because torture and terror were tow things that the Assyrians use to conquer other cities and empires. Having a big army and trained soldiers were very important aspects for the Assyrians to be victorious in so many battles. The Assyrians would use many different tactics to be successful and I think that the ones you have are really good.
DeleteI agree with this response because torture and terror were two of the main things that were stressed about the Assyrians. The kings talked about both of these things in their accounts of their battles, treatments, and sieges. Well trained soldiers was also very important to the Assyrians because their army was the most successful thing in their society. You’ve explained what the Assyrian kings thought was important very well. You also used quotes and citation very well, because I was able to find in my own document where you found your information.
DeleteI agree with what you're saying because they used many tactics of terror that made their military stronger against their enemies. This also made more sense when you described a few of their tactics, which was a main way of making the Assyrians so powerful during their time period.
DeleteI agree with your response for many reasons. First you are 100% correct that they did stress about torture and terror. Also you did a great job citation where you got you information and clearly giveing us and explianation on why you believe so.
DeleteI really agree with the whole impliying fear into their military stratedgy. Also that they wanted well qualified soldiers to be in the troops.
DeleteWhat was important for military success?
ReplyDeleteIn every military there is a different way success. For the assyrians military success came from terror,brutal conquering,and violence.(doc 1I-A) The assyrians lived in a flat,exposed land made it easy for other cities to invade their land. So the assyrians probably got there warlike behavior cause of all the possible invasions,they had to be prepare at all cost. The assyrians would use violence to maintain order and to be victorious in battle.(doc 1I-B) The assyrians had emends military strength to conquer other empires. The powerful military control of the assyrians was another military success.(doc 1I-C) Assyrian troops were well equipped to conquer an empire. The assyrian military planning was by far the best the world had they were flawless in battle,warfare,and when laying siege.(doc 1I-D) Using ironworking technology assyrians covered themselves in iron armor. Iron was also use for making weapons like arrows,javelins,swords,and spears.(doc 1I-E) The assyrians were great builders, they build pontoons,battering rams, and other war machines.(doc 1I-F) The assyrians showed no mercy, the would kill and enslave their victims. The assyrians had effective military leaders and fighters or in other worlds skilled military leaders.(doc 1I-G) Size of the army was not the only thing that made the assyrians so powerful but also that the soldiers were trained well and they were disciplined.(doc 1I-H) When in battle the assyrians would destroy towns,set crops on fire,and trees. The assyrians were extremely cruel to prisoners and any enemies they had.(doc 1I-M) Another thing the assyrians did to prepare for war were rituals.(doc 1I-N) In ancient time there were many armies but none compare to the cruelty,the intelligence,and the technology of the Assyrians.
I agree with you because Assyrians had a brutal warlike behavior that was probably caused by all the possible invasions that could have happened because of their easy to access land. They did have powerful military control, because they were feared by everyone and they were always prepared and organized. They also had flawless weaponry and armor, because they used iron. The Assyrians were very cruel to prisoners and enemies, which is why they created a “climate of terror” which I mentioned in my response.
DeleteI agree with your point of view because their violent 'fear-bearing ways' were in fact key to destroying and conquering other empires. Due to this they were the most powerful in that time period, and the only way a rebellion was able to happen was after several different armies and tongues combined themselves. Also they were very well disciplined which proved them to be very uniform with everything.
DeleteI agree with you mostly, but there are a few areas where i have some skepticism. I don't understand why living in a flat, exposed land would be important for military success,especially to the Assyrian kings? I mean it would have possibly made them more alert but if anything, it would have been a disadvantage. From the article we read it doesn't really state anything about there geographic location being a advantage to them in any way. If you could provide more insight as to why you thought that was important to the leaders that would be great.
DeleteThe Assyrians were very cruel and ruthless, but you're making it seem as if they did it just to do it. The assyrians were cruel and ruthless because they wanted to prove that they were one of the most powerful, and it was a warning to others not to mess with them.
DeleteBased on their own descriptions, Assyrian kings believed that cruelty, brutality, and being completely in power was important for military success. According to King Sennacherib when he described his battle with the Elamites, he “...transfixed the troops of the enemy with javelins and arrows…. I cut their throats like sheep…”. (doc 1i). His whole description talks about how he mauled their town and how they left corpses in their paths. When King Sennacherib described his siege of Jerusalem, he talked about using soldiers, mines, breaches and sapper work to overrun their town. The Assyrian kings also believed that expanding their empire using brutal military methods was important for military success (doc 1i, d). The kings wanted control over all the resources of the empire, so they instituted a new hierarchy of local officials directly responsible to the king. That way, the kings could keep control over the whole empire, but focus on the things they saw more important (like the military). They also believed that having extremely well thought out military tactics was necessary for military success (doc 1i, l). In order to lay siege on these cities, they had to have a strong plan in order for it to be carried out well. They had to plan out what weapons they needed, how they were going to divide out their resources, and how they were going to overtake the city. Organization was also found to be important, because without it they wouldn’t have nearly been as successful as they were. They organized how their infantry, cavalry and chariots were to be set up, so they would be in the best possible positions to have a successful siege (doc 1i, k). The Assyrian kings also found it important to have a “climate of terror” (doc 1i, m). They were famous for their “terror tactics”. People all across the land were terrified of the Assyrian army, because the way the Assyrians would treat captives, prisoners, and anyone who would try to escape was so atrocious.
ReplyDeleteI agree with you, especially because you mentioned their terror tactics and that they found it important to create a "climate of terror". I mentioned that in my response too. The Assyrians made it a point to make sure everyone feared their military. They had to have brutal methods. Just performing basic attacks when trying to capture land or anything else they wanted to do wouldn't work because they wouldn't be as feared and the people they were fighting against would fight back harder. Them having brutal methods helped with creating a climate of terror. You did a really great job with this post.
DeleteI agree with what you're saying because you were able to prove what it took for the military to be successful. You also used quotations very well which described what you meant when you put your answer. I was also able to go back to my document and find what you refering to when you explained your answer.
DeleteI agree, the Assyrians wanted to feel a sense of power, and in an odd way, cruelty was the only way they could satisfy their need for power, but at the same time they used the cruelty to put fear in their enemies. Amazing strategy on their part.
DeleteI agree, Assyrians were very cruel in war and always over did things. Assyrians always found power and bigger opportunity after taking over a city or winning a battle and they wanted to do bigger things
DeleteBased on their own descriptions Assyrian kings believed having brutal military methods, being well organized and having disciplined soldiers, having different military tactics, and creating a climate of terror were all important steps to execute in order to achieve military success. Their brutal methods in battle helped them to expand the Assyrian empire greatly (doc1i, d). Being well-organized and having disciplined soldiers couldn’t do anything but help the Assyrian empire (doc1i, K). This helped because everyone knew what they were supposed to do. Everyone had a role. The Assyrian military’s success was also due to their many different military tactics (doc1i, L). They were capable of doing many different things to cities when conquering. This helped in creating a climate of terror (doc1i, M). Creating a climate of terror was very important to the Assyrian military because they wanted to be feared. They used multiple different terror tactics and ultimately became famous for them. Using all of these steps and many more different steps definitely helped the Assyrian empire became as renowned and successful as they were.
ReplyDeleteI totally agree because all through out the article it talks more about the militarie's brutality and tactics rather than the weapons they used. The Assyrian society was very organized and that was a large part of what the leaders valued/
DeleteI agree!The Assyrian empire relied heavily on their military ways. They highly valued their brutal tactics and weaponry in order to become the great empire that they were.
DeleteThe Assyrian kings thought that brutal leadership, organized military and strategy, terror tactics, expanding territory,and the latest war technology were very important for military success(Doc1i, b, d, h, j, k, l). It is obvious that they felt this way because many times throughout the article it talks about the brutality the Assyrians used to dominate other empires. In the article it even gives an illustration of where brutality first became a norm with Tiglath-Pileser I, whose “policy of deliberate terror set a pattern for later Assyrian rulers.(Doc1i, b)” From that point on many of the rulers just used brutality and terror to conquer many lands. Although there military strategy definitely aided the Assyrian empire to become as large as it did. In the article it describes some of the tactics the Assyrians used such as: “...guerilla warfare in the mountains and set battles on open ground as well as laying siege to cities(Doc1i, m).” When you look at the historical evidence and records from that time period it is easy to see that the Assyrians reputation is not exaggerated. It is proved from all of Sennacherib’s accounts, he records the brutal nature of war with his accounts from Elamite, Jerusalem, and Babylon(Doc1, a2, b2, c2). They were definitely as brutal and despised as accounts say they were.
ReplyDeleteI completely agree with you. The Assyrian kings talked all through the article about how they used torture to expand and conquer other empires. The article talked more about their brutal tactics than anything else. Your right about their reputation not being exaggerated. Make sure, next time, to include the weapons they used.
DeleteI agree with you because the article mentioned more than one their ruthless behavior against other rivals and how the Assyrians had no mercy towards others. I believe that their brutal behavior brought them much success and their rivals feared them most of all. I also think though, that the accounts were exaggerated and that they used this in their benefit so that others would see them as big and mighty when they really were not all that great.
DeleteI agree, when it comes to strategy, the Assyrian military was top notch. Not only did they put fear in the eyes of their competitor, but they fed off of the power they had, they took the power they had, and they used it to their advantage.
DeleteI agree with this because they did organize their whole military system which gave them the edge in battle, also they had great lands and weaponry.
DeleteWhap 1 Bravo
ReplyDeleteThe Assyrian kings believed that brutality, terror and violence were important for military success (doc 1g a,h,i). Expanding the Assyrian empire and conquering new territories was also important to Assyrian kings (doc 1g b,c). They believed in expanding so much that they eventually overextended themselves and left themselves vulnerable which caused the empire to eventually disintegrate. They created an efficient communication system (doc 1g e). The system was so efficient that a provincial governor anywhere in the empire could send a question to the king in his palace and receive an answer in a week. They also had great military tactics and technology (doc 1g f,g,h). With these they could siege cities and defeat large-scale armies. Plus, they had a nice agricultural farming and trading system which was of great economic importance (doc 1g k,l).
I think that their account wasn’t exaggerated, because how else could they of been such a successful empire capable of their great feats without being what they’re said to be. There are also many historical documentation and evidence from the time period that prove the Assyrian empire’s account.
The Assyrians had many qualities that made their military very successful. Under the power of a ruler the Assyrians ruled with a strong rule of terror that made it easier for them to defeat and conquer their enemies (Doc 1, a). “Internal strife intensified as powerful Assyrian nobles gained control of vast territories and waged their own private military campaigns”, this shows that the military had a very powerful and strong control over their enemies and neighboring territories (Doc 1, c). The Assyrians had many terror tactics which made their power stronger when fighting enemies. Under the power of a king, they became more organized and had many strong powerful leaders that sent them on sieges that they conquered from their enemies (Doc 1, g h). The Assyrians however had an advantage over their enemies, which was having their military equipped with iron weapons, unlike their enemies (Doc 1, j). The Assyrians also had chariots which was feared among all weapons due to their ability and control they had while shooting arrows at their enemies. Along with their powerful weapons, the Assyrians needed a strong plan to conquer cities. The only way for this to work is having a strong and powerful leader that was able to take control of the Assyrian army. They learned how to destroy towns by, burning down their crops, houses, trees, and they used torture as a tactic to defeat their enemies. The Assyrians were the most powerful civilization during their reign, due to their strong military power and leaders, which allowed them to reign for quite some time before their empire fell as well as their military.
ReplyDeleteAlejandra Nuñez WHAP1 Bravo
ReplyDeleteThe Assyrian kings believed multiple things were important for military success. I think the most important ones were being organized and having many tactics. Under the rule of the empire, the people were kept under a strict organization. They had “common language and religion” and “an efficient system of communication” which meant their ideals were very similar and that meant there was order and discipline between the military and the rest of the people (doc1 bcd). The Assyrians were known for their use of military tactics and being well organized and disciplined (doc1 efi). Many of their tactics included the weapons used within the large armies, for example, cavalry and horse-drawn war chariots, mobile platforms for shooting arrows, and iron weapons (doc1 klmn). Not only did they have good sources of weaponry, but the way they used their weapons was also important. The Assyrian military used “terror tactics” as a way to intimidate their rivals (doc1 p). Those terror tactics included “fighting, smashing dams, looting and destroying towns, setting crops on fire, and cutting down trees” (doc1 q). They intimidated the enemy so that other rivals would know that the Assyrians were not the ones to mess with. Although the Assyrian military was intelligent in developing tactics to achieve success, i think their account was exaggerated. They caused fear and intimidation on others to maybe boost their ego and make them seem “bigger and scarier” than they really were. In reality, the Assyrian military was like any other military based of strength, their use of tactics and emotional fear was what could have brought them their success.
The Assyrian Empire was known for their power. Not so much for their power, but how they used their power, strategy wise, they Assyrian military were geniuses, they tortured and were brutal with the captured enemies. They made it known who was the "Top Dog". And when somebody stepped into their territory and challenged them (Rarely happend), they made it very clear that nobody does that to them. Something that the Assyrians showed much of, was smarts. They already had the strategy part down, but then they showed their smarts by making new weapons like the chariot, and iron weapons. Needless to say, the Assyrian Empire deserved the praise that the Egyptians gave them.
ReplyDeleteI agree, the Assyrians were very powerful, but wise with their power.
DeleteI agree. The Assyrian empire were very powerful and were the "top dog", because of their military stradgedies and weapons. Next time I think you should mention their military tactics as well and the big effect on enemies they battled.
DeleteI agree. The Assyrians were very powerful with their weapons. They made weapons to slice the enemies from other troops. Maybe include too, that military leaders and fighters were a big part in military success.
DeleteI think that the Assyrian kings believe in a successful military was a lot about their military power and there tactics. For example they were able to use guerrilla warfare in the mountains and set battles on foot and to use this at an advantage. The Assyrians were very well at renowned siege warfare. This helped them be able to actually have a helpful and organized tactics in order to win a war with a large and sufficient army(1i n). He also believed that the size and disciplinary was very important for an army. The bigger the army the more you have the chance to overpower your enemy and to gain complete control of the wage of war, He believed that the army being discipline was important to stand in correct core and that every thing must be signaled for begin(1i k, i). There was also the advanced weaponry that really needed to be current for the military to be successful in war. To be the first military equipped with iron weapons is extremely great and plays a huge role in them being able to be a strong military(1i m,i). Lastly is there strong leadership and control of government. If they have a strong leader than they will have the time and resources to do everything they need and is necessary. If they did not have so then they will begin to downfall and be able to do much(1i b, c, e).
ReplyDeleteThe Assyrians believed in total control. They would pick a very strong leader and give him all the military power (doc1 a). The Assyrians were very well organized throughout their military and their government, and they all had common beliefs and ideas and were also organized (doc1 bcdi). They had a variety of military tactics which include guerilla warfare, fighting set battles,laying siege to cities,terror tactics, and ruthlessness (doc1 efgpq). They had a very strong army because they would have large numbers and a variety of different troops like infantry, calvary, and archers and very good weapons (doc1 jklmn).
ReplyDeleteBy Assyrian king standards, the only way to have a successful military force was through organization and brutality. Expanding territory and the latest war technology was very important for military success. Many of the battles were described as “gory”, “terror-filled”, and” full of bloodshed”. The Assyrian military was always more advanced than their enemies in their latest war inventions, tactics, tools, and war technology. The Assyrian military believed in having well- disciplined troops and trained their leaders to be organized and effective battle. When conquering new territory the Assyrians would make sure not to destroy anything that would be useful in their own force including horses, war weapon, and new technology. The Assyrian kings believed the more troops the better because the loved clearing out armies and slaughtering what was left behind. (Doc#1, A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H)
ReplyDeleteI think the accounts of the rulers were highly exaggerated because the Assyrian kings wanted to be known as the best out there. Assyrian kings over exaggerated how many people they would kill in a battle or how many people they drove out of a city when they conquered new cities “I drove out of them 200,150 people...” (Doc#1, A, D, E, G)
The Assyrian kings believed that for their military to be successful, they needed multiple rules and concepts. For example, the military used campaigns almost every year (Doc 1i, B). Their campaigns focused on proving to people that they were powerful. These campaigns also helped them regain control of Mesopotamia. The Assyrians knew that to be the best, they needed the best. Powerful leaders was another important factor to their military (Doc 1i, C). They were known to be a "mighty military machine." They used tools and many smart tactics to be successful (Doc 1i, G). To stay as great as they seemed to be, they needed to stay as organized as possible. Also, they felt that they needed to be well disciplined (Doc 1, I). To me, they're account seemed to be very exaggerated. The reasoning of this is because they tried to make their military seem like they were intimidating. The Assyrians claimed to be the best. Our military today is just as successful, and aren't as exaggerated.
ReplyDeleteKing Sennacherib believed that weapons and killing people was important for military success. "I transfixed the troops of the enemy with javelins and arrows (Sennacherib
ReplyDelete3)." This means he made weapons to slice their throats like sheep. He says, "As to the lord of the Chaldeans, panic from onslaught overwhelmed them like a demon (Sennacherib 3)." They abandoned the tents for their lives to crush the corpses of the troops. Military leaders and fighters were also apart of military success. They were able to enlist and deploy a number of troops, even though there wasn't a large scale. It was a well-organized disciplined Assyrian army. The Assyrians had the advantage of having the first largest armies' equipment. Another military success was it was able to use "different kinds of military tactics (Military Machine 4)." "They would hammer city's walls with heavy, wheeled towers and armored battering rams while sappers dug tunnels to undermine the walls' foundations and cause them to collapse (Military Machine 4)." Lastly, for military success, was that it had the ability to create a climate of terror as an instrument of warfare. The Assyrians actually became famous for their tactics. As the conclusion of this, they laid waste to the land in which they were "fighting, smashing dams, looting and destroying towns, setting crops on fire, and cutting down trees (Military Machine 4)." They were known especially for committing atrocities on their captives.