The reconstruction of the neo-Assyrian army. As depicted on the Assyrian palace reliefs, 745-612 BC

Abstract

Assyriologists and archaeologists have for long been interested in the study of the history of the Assyrian army. 1 In spite of this, only a few monographic syntheses were written on the Assyrian army. 2 Generally speaking we know more and more about the military history of Assyria and the details of the structure of the Assyrian army, but a synthesis which covers all the aspects of the problem has not been written.There is a large number of short articles on the Assyrian army, which include general summaries of the topic, 3 , and articles elaborating certain aspects of the history of Assyrian army.Such aspects are the history of certain campaigns, 4 the branches of service, e.g. the chariotry, 5 the supply, reserves and logistics, 6 weaponry, 7 and tactical reinterpretation of certain battles of Assyrian military history.8 Undoubtedly, the reason of the hundred years of Assyrian military success is hidden in these details.However, little work has been done so far on the reconstruction of the Assyrian army as depicted on the Assyrian sculptures.There are three major groups of sources which can be used for the reconstruction of the Assyrian army: the written (cuneiform) sources, the archaeological evidence (arms and armour), and the sculptures.What has already been written on the Assyrian army was mainly based on the analysis of cuneiform sources.The limited number of archaeological evidence in itself makes it impossible to form a concept on the development of arms and armour of the Assyrian army.This archaeological record consists primarily of 30 helmets and fragments (8 pieces of pointed bronze helmets and fragments, 2 pieces of pointed iron helmets, 4 pieces of crested bronze helmets, and 16 fragments of crested iron helmets 9 ).Furthermore there is a large amount of bronze and iron armour scales known from the 1 st millennium B.C. Near East, and from the Assyrian capitals.10 The next group of archaeological evidence consists of a 9 th century B.C. large bronze shield and several fragments (similar to the much later Greek hoplon shields) from Nimrud, now in the British Museum.11 These Assyr-1

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