Assyrian conquest of Persia

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Assyrian conquest of Persia

Between 655 and 639 BCE, the Neo-Assyrian Empire expanded into Persia and Elam, ultimately destroying Elam and taking control of Persian lands.

Background
- For many years Elam and the Assyrians fought over power in Mesopotamia. Elam often tried to influence Babylonian politics, which put it at odds with Assyria.
- In 721 BCE, Babylon rebelled, and Elamese forces tried to help. This sparked years of clashes along the Tigris and near Susa. The battles were brutal, and while Elam sometimes delayed Assyria, it never broke its power in Mesopotamia.
- After a failed Elamite attack on Babylon in 655 BCE, Elam’s influence weakened. The Assyrians began to press harder into Elamite territory.

Campaign against Elam
- In 648 BCE the Elamite city of Susa was razed, a sign of the coming destruction.
- By 639 BCE the Assyrian king Ashurbanipal had moved his armies into Elam with the aim of complete defeat. Civil war and pressure from other enemies helped weaken Elam, making its defeat easier.

Collapse of Elam
- Ashurbanipal’s campaigns devastated Elam. He describes devastating the Elamite provinces, scattering the population, looting cities, and driving people and wildlife from the land.
- With Elam destroyed, Ashurbanipal could focus on securing the surrounding regions. Yet within about 34 years, the Assyrian Empire itself collapsed, ending its grip on the ancient Near East.

See also
- Battle of Susa

Notes
- The campaigns caused massive destruction and loss of life, with many cities destroyed and large numbers of people displaced.