Rebeccas+Essay



THE FALL OF THE ELAMITES Rebecca Campbell

In 1160 BCE after a short period of dynastic troubles, the Elamites re established their empire. The Elam reign was sustained surprisingly long considering the frequent battling with Assyria and Babylonia. The Elam empire had a secret service called the ”eyes and ears of the king”. This organization contributed to the length of the reign of the Elam empire. Elam's civilization was a strong and developed society. Eventually however, the powerful Elam was utterly destroyed by their rivals, the Assyrians, the Babylonians, and the Persians. The fall of the Elamites was due to the following factors: superior weaponry combined with strategies and timing. There is much we can learn about the fall of the Elamite empire.

After a short period of dynastic troubles the second half of the Middle Elamite period began. During the reign of Shurtruk- Nahhunte Elam became one of the greatest military powers in the Middle East. The Elamite soldiers fought with bows and arrows, metal bladed spears, axes, clubs, and daggers. At this point in time their weaponry was more advanced than any of their rivals. Eventually however, Elam could not fight off the Babylonian revolt. Power in central Mesopotamia was now broken for the Elamites. Their military power began to rapidly fall. The attack that ended the Middle Elamite period was led by Nebuchadrezzar I of Babylon (c.1124-c. 1103 BCE). It was said that the whole of Elam was overrun.

Following a long period of darkness Elam re established their kingdom for the last time. In 742 BCE Hubannugash reigned. The Assyrians and Babylonians constantly interfered with local Elam dynasty. The Assyrians had become a more developed civilization. They now had more advanced weaponry then the Elamites. Their spears were tipped with iron and their swords were made of iron(strongest metal of at the time). They also had strong chariots able to hold three soldiers, one to drive, one to throw spears, and one to protect the horses rear. The Assyrians and Babylonians had also studied techniques and strategies of warfare. The Assyrians and the Babylonians were now able to over power the Elamites for the last time. ([][|)]

In 648 BCE the Elamite empire was about to face a horrible series of events. Assyrian armies moved their entire force from the west to abolish the Elamites. All hell had broken loose on the Elamite land. During this time the Elamites were additionally struggling to fight off the Persians in their northern borders. The combination of the Persians, Babylonians and the Assyrians were too much for the Elamites handle at once. They strived to keep their civilization alive. Despite all efforts their civilization began to collapse. Assyrian, Babylonian and Persian armies utterly destroyed Susa (Elam's capital). Moreover, any meaningful central authority in Elam was abolished by looting and pulling down buildings.([]). In 639 BCE Assurbanipal, king of Assyria, invaded Elam. He vividly describes in the following account what he was involved in “For a distance of a month and twenty-five days' journey I devastated the provinces of Elam. Salt and sihlu I scattered over them... The dust of Susa, Madaktu, Haltemash and the rest of the cities I gathered together and took to Assyria... The noise of people, the tread of cattle and sheep, the glad shouts of rejoicing, I banished from its fields. Wild asses, gazelles and all kinds of beasts of the plain I caused to lie down among them, as if at home.” ([])

We have learned much from the fall of the Elamites. Their civilization and other ancient civilizations suffered greatly from warfare. The kings would put their people at risk for their own selfish reasons. They would want to gain more power, more resouces and therefore to expand their empire. While engaging in offensive battles many innocent people suffered and died. Today, in most countries we have learned that war is not beneficial or justifiable. The lessons that we can learn from the decline of the Elamite Empire are important to our civilization's survival.

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