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Assyria

The Rise and Fall of the World's First Empire

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Assyria

By: Eckart Frahm
Narrated by: Matthew Lloyd Davies
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Bloomsbury presents Assyria by Eckart Frahm, read by Matthew Lloyd Davies.

The first comprehensive account of the rise and fall of what historians consider to be the world’s very first empire: Assyria

'A work of remarkable synthesis. The range of its sources is truly extraordinary . . . Frahm punctures a fair share of myths too' Pratinav Anil, The Times

At its height in 660 BCE, the kingdom of Assyria stretched from the Mediterranean Sea to the Persian Gulf. It was the first empire the world had ever seen.

Here, historian Eckart Frahm tells the epic story of Assyria and its formative role in global history. Assyria’s wide-ranging conquests have long been known from the Hebrew Bible and later Greek accounts. But nearly two centuries of research now permit a rich picture of the Assyrians and their empire beyond the battlefield: their vast libraries and monumental sculptures, their elaborate trade and information networks, and the crucial role played by royal women.

Although Assyria was crushed by rising powers in the late seventh century BCE, its legacy endured from the Babylonian and Persian empires to Rome and beyond. Assyria is a stunning and authoritative account of a civilisation essential to understanding the ancient world and our own.©2023 Hachette Audio Ancient Civilisation Military Politics & Government World Ancient History Royalty Ancient Greece Middle East Middle Ages Rome
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Critic Reviews

Frahm engagingly chronicles the progress of the Assyrian Empire, illustrating how a peaceful polity very gradually lost the plot . . . Frahm has a fine eye for the ironies of history . . . He punctures a fair share of myths too . . . Assyria is a work of remarkable synthesis. The range of its sources is truly extraordinary: tablets and stele, of course, but also “faunal and floral analysis”, “advanced forms of pottery studies” and satellite images. Frahm’s prose has a light, aphoristic touch (Pratinav Anil)
A superb, compelling, and exuberantly written history of the Assyrians, popularly known only as the bad guys of the Old Testament, but actually one of the most significant of all ancient Near Eastern empire builders. This book is filled with fascinating detail and cliché-busting analysis. Sweeping yet nuanced, Eckart Frahm challenges —and changes—the way we think about the Assyrians and the culture they fashioned (Lloyd Llewellyn-Jones, author of 'Persians')
Eckart Frahm has produced a compelling account of how the Assyrians built an empire that ruled over large territories and diverse peoples. Assyria offers us a new way to think about the formation and sustainability of an imperial model that has shaped human experiences for much of the past 3000 years. It is ancient history that remains relevant to this day (Edward J. Watts, author of 'Mortal Republic')
An extremely readable introduction to Assyria and the Assyrians, from their origins to their ultimate demise. Frahm presents a wealth of knowledge and information in an accessible manner, and with relevance to today, which will be of interest to scholars, students, and members of the general public alike (Eric Cline, author of '1177 B.C.')
All stars
Most relevant
This might be an excellent book, possibly the best book on this subject but I just couldn't get on with the narrator. He keeps changing his voice, elongating some words, modulating his tone for no apparent reason. I listened to multiple chapters without ever actually learning anything.

Could be an excellent book, couldn't tell, couldn't get on with the narrator

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The author draws on a treasure trove of ancient texts (Assyrian and other contemporary sources) and other archeological elements to present a very thorough description of this ancient civilization. You'll learn how Assyria began, how and why it thrived and much of the problems which eventually brought about it's collapse (problems which are eccoed in modern international relations). He highlights climate change, living conditions, social norms, technological advances, political structures and economic conditions as well as occasionally painting vivid portraits of rulers and other important individuals.

This is just a really well-rounded and in-depth history. There are times when the details get a little overwhelming, a little too much repetition - hence 4 stars instead of 5. But it's still an excellent book.

All this - and Matthew Lloyd Davies is an outstanding narrator. His reading style is lively and engaging - and his masterfully smooth pronunciation of complicated ancient names allowed me to follow the story without getting confused between individual historic characters. Simply superb narrating!

Very thorough and satisfying history of Assyria

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