Organising an Empire: The Assyrian Way from Coursera

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.

What's inside

Syllabus

Introducing Ancient Assyria

Meet the CEO: The Assyrian King

A Visit to the Head Office: The Royal Capital and Court

Regional Managers: Outsourcing Power

Human Resources: Commodities, Consumers, and Product

The Fruits of Empire: Expenses and Revenue

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Explores ancient Assyria, its history, and political and military development, which is standard in archaeology and history

Examines the mechanisms used to keep the Assyrian Empire running, such as delegation, organization, and communication, which is relevant to management and leadership

Taught by Karen Radner, a recognized expert in Assyrian studies

Includes analysis of key aspects of the Assyrian Empire, such as the king, the royal court, and the provinces, which provides a comprehensive understanding of the topic

Requires no prior knowledge of ancient Assyria, making it accessible to beginners

Reviews summary

Assyrian empire: management strategy

Learners say this course presents a largely positive overview of the Neo-Assyrian Empire with engaging materials. Lectures are well presented by an enthusiastic instructor who effectively uses clear explanations, quizzes, readings, and interactive formats to present key features of the Assyrian Empire, including its governance, organization, social structure, innovations, and military strategies. The course has a Humanities focus, particularly on history, politics, and archaeology.

The course provides insights into the daily lives of Assyrian citizens, revealing their social customs, religious beliefs, and economic activities.

"it was so perfect thanks a lot i loved every moment and esp enjoyed the ask the experts segments"

"it gave me a totally different perspective of Asiria."

"It covers an ancient civilisation that receives far less attention than others in the region."

Learners highlight the course's examination of Assyria's contributions to various fields, such as the development of the first postal service, advanced weaponry, and architectural innovations.

"Explains innovations like a postal service, cavalry, and more."

"I learned to reflect on the ancient oriental world, and I thank the professor and her team for this way of considering Assyria: many congratulations."

"Especially the different styles of the videos as well as the use of other material make the course very interesting."

The course is well-structured, with a logical progression of topics and a variety of materials, including lectures, interviews, and interactive elements. The quizzes are seen as helpful for reinforcing learning.

"This has been such an interesting and rewarding course."

"Highly enjoyable course which covers the historical events and kings of Assyria but also goes into depth on other, less well-known or well-covered topics."

"The course was beautifully done, entertaining, informative, and leaving me wanting more!"

The course explores the innovative and effective organizational structure of the Assyrian Empire, which included a centralized government, a vast communication network, and a sophisticated system of record-keeping.

"Excellent course from which I learnt a lot about a civilization I only knew from its artefacts."

"Learnt abt the Neo-Assyrian Empire, its politics, daily life."

"I learned a lot about a civilization that is not very well known and which invented basic concepts that survived till now."

Professor Karen Radner receives praise for her knowledge, enthusiasm, and ability to present complex information clearly and engagingly.

"The lecturer had an incredible level of knowledge that I doubt could be surpassed, and the way she delivered the course was both thoroughly engaging and clearly conveyed her passion."

"I couldn't help but be fascinated by the subject matter and the excellent presentation."

"Her dedication and passion for the subject are worth emulating, it was simply a joyous journey into the Assyrian civilization."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Organising an Empire: The Assyrian Way with these activities:

Review Basic Middle Eastern History

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Reinforce your understanding of the historical context of Assyria, which will help you better grasp the course material.

Browse courses on Middle Eastern History

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Review the history of the Middle East from the rise of Sumer to the fall of Babylon.
Focus on the major events and figures that shaped the region during this period.
Consider how these events and figures might have influenced the development of Assyria.

Read 'Assyria: The World's First Empire' by Karen Radner

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Gain a comprehensive overview of the Assyrian Empire from one of the leading experts in the field.

View Ancient Assyria: A Very Short Introduction on Amazon

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Obtain a copy of the book either physically or digitally.
Read the book thoroughly, taking notes on key concepts and arguments.
Consider the author's perspective and how it aligns with your own understanding.

Explore Interactive Maps of the Assyrian Empire

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Gain a deeper understanding of the vastness and diversity of the Assyrian Empire by exploring interactive maps.

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Find reputable websites or online resources that offer interactive maps of the Assyrian Empire.
Navigate the maps to explore the different regions and territories controlled by Assyria.
Examine the physical features, such as rivers, mountains, and deserts, that influenced the empire's boundaries.
Identify the major cities and cultural centers of the Assyrian Empire.

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Career center

Learners who complete Organising an Empire: The Assyrian Way will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Anthropologist

The course Organising an Empire: The Assyrian Way can help build a foundation for a career as an Anthropologist. The course will provide learners with an overview of the political, social, religious, and military history of the world’s first superpower, as well as insight into the geography and climatic conditions of the Middle East. This knowledge will be valuable for Anthropologists who are interested in studying the culture of the Middle East.

See salaries and explore the career path for Anthropologist

Business Analyst

The course Organising an Empire: The Assyrian Way can help build a foundation for a career as a Business Analyst. The course will provide learners with an overview of the political, social, religious, and military history of the world’s first superpower, as well as insight into the geography and climatic conditions of the Middle East. This knowledge will be valuable for Business Analysts who are interested in working with businesses in the Middle East.

See salaries and explore the career path for Business Analyst

Economist

The course Organising an Empire: The Assyrian Way can help build a foundation for a career as an Economist. The course will provide learners with an overview of the political, social, religious, and military history of the world’s first superpower, as well as insight into the geography and climatic conditions of the Middle East. This knowledge will be valuable for Economists who are interested in studying the economy of the Middle East.

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Museum curator

The course Organising an Empire: The Assyrian Way can help build a foundation for a career as a Museum Curator. The course will provide learners with an overview of the political, social, religious, and military history of the world’s first superpower, as well as insight into the geography and climatic conditions of the Middle East. This knowledge will be valuable for Museum Curators who are interested in working with artifacts from the Middle East.

See salaries and explore the career path for Museum curator

Teacher

The course Organising an Empire: The Assyrian Way can help build a foundation for a career as a Teacher. The course will provide learners with an overview of the political, social, religious, and military history of the world’s first superpower, as well as insight into the geography and climatic conditions of the Middle East. This knowledge will be valuable for Teachers who are interested in teaching about the Middle East.

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Management Consultant

The course Organising an Empire: The Assyrian Way can help build a foundation for a career as a Management Consultant. The course will provide learners with an overview of the political, social, religious, and military history of the world’s first superpower, as well as insight into the geography and climatic conditions of the Middle East. This knowledge will be valuable for Management Consultants who are interested in working with businesses in the Middle East.

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Archivist

The course Organising an Empire: The Assyrian Way can help build a foundation for a career as an Archivist. The course will provide learners with an overview of the political, social, religious, and military history of the world’s first superpower, as well as insight into the geography and climatic conditions of the Middle East. This knowledge will be valuable for Archivists who are interested in working with historical documents from the Middle East.

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Journalist

The course Organising an Empire: The Assyrian Way can help build a foundation for a career as a Journalist. The course will provide learners with an overview of the political, social, religious, and military history of the world’s first superpower, as well as insight into the geography and climatic conditions of the Middle East. This knowledge will be valuable for Journalists who are interested in reporting on the Middle East.

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Diplomat

The course Organising an Empire: The Assyrian Way can help build a foundation for a career as a Diplomat. The course will provide learners with an overview of the political, social, religious, and military history of the world’s first superpower, as well as insight into the geography and climatic conditions of the Middle East. This knowledge will be valuable for Diplomats who are interested in working on issues related to the Middle East.

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Librarian

The course Organising an Empire: The Assyrian Way can help build a foundation for a career as a Librarian. The course will provide learners with an overview of the political, social, religious, and military history of the world’s first superpower, as well as insight into the geography and climatic conditions of the Middle East. This knowledge will be valuable for Librarians who are interested in working with books and other materials about the Middle East.

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Archaeologist

The course Organising an Empire: The Assyrian Way can help build a foundation for a career as an Archaeologist. The course will provide learners with an overview of the political, social, religious, and military history of the world’s first superpower, as well as insight into the geography and climatic conditions of the Middle East. This knowledge will be valuable for Archaeologists who are interested in studying the history and culture of the Middle East.

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International Relations Specialist

The course Organising an Empire: The Assyrian Way can help build a foundation for a career as an International Relations Specialist. The course will provide learners with an overview of the political, social, religious, and military history of the world’s first superpower, as well as insight into the geography and climatic conditions of the Middle East. This knowledge will be valuable for International Relations Specialists who are interested in working on issues related to the Middle East.

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Sociologist

The course Organising an Empire: The Assyrian Way can help build a foundation for a career as a Sociologist. The course will provide learners with an overview of the political, social, religious, and military history of the world’s first superpower, as well as insight into the geography and climatic conditions of the Middle East. This knowledge will be valuable for Sociologists who are interested in studying the society of the Middle East.

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Political Scientist

The course Organising an Empire: The Assyrian Way can help build a foundation for a career as a Political Scientist. The course will provide learners with an overview of the political, social, religious, and military history of the world’s first superpower, as well as insight into the geography and climatic conditions of the Middle East. This knowledge will be valuable for Political Scientists who are interested in studying the politics of the Middle East.

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Historian

The course Organising an Empire: The Assyrian Way is designed to provide learners with an overview of the political, social, religious, and military history of the world’s first superpower. The course will also give learners insight into the geography and climatic conditions of the Middle East and contribute to their understanding of the opportunities and challenges of that region. This course may be useful for those who wish to pursue a career as a Historian.

See salaries and explore the career path for Historian