Origin of Assyrians
The Assyrians are an ethnic group who can trace their history to the ancient Assyrian Empire, which flourished in Mesopotamia, located in modern-day Iraq, between the 21st and 18th Century BC. Their ancestors are thought to belong to an Ancient Near East civilization which was possibly the the world’s first to codify laws and develop an organized system of government. This ancient empire is credited with inventing the wheel and creating an alphabet, and in the biblical book of Genesis they are mentioned as one of the four peoples that formed the “Fertile Crescent” around 2000 BC.
Historians note that when the Assyrians were at their most powerful, they had established a strong network of cities and agricultural production sites from the Mediterranean in the West all the way to the Persian Gulf in the East. Experts claim that their legacy of engineering can still be seen in the remains of their various structures, such as their renowned city walls, temple complexes and ziggurats.
Assyrian Culture
The Assyrians were renowned for their art of metalworking, astronomy, mathematics and their use of different languages, including their own dialect, Akkadian. Additionally, they erected massive statues and decorated palaces with intricate bas-reliefs. They also became known for their complex legal and religious rites, which often featured human sacrifices and oppressive subjugation of minorities.
Most of the records that have survived from the Assyrian Empire were written in cuneiform, a type of writing that was developed in Mesopotamia and used for religious records and court proceedings. While there were various provincial languages in the Assyrian Empire, their ruling class always preserved their own spoken Babylonian language, Akkadian.
Assyrian Religion
The religion of the Assyrians was polytheistic and they worshipped many gods, primarily Ishtar and Marduk. At one point, the Assyrians even led a campaign to restore Babylonian gods to their original positions of power. However, it wasn’t until the late 9th to early 8th century BC that the Assyrian kings began to embrace the concept of a single, all-powerful god, known as Ashur. This transformation of religion is credited with playing a role in helping to unify the early Assyrian Empire.
Connection between Assyrians and the Bible
The Assyrians make frequent appearances in the Bible, mainly as cruel and warlike opponents of the Israelites. This literature contains several references to various Assyrian kings and their various campaigns throughout the region. Additionally, many of these stories are believed to be rooted in historical events, such as the destruction of the Nineveh capital in 612 BC, an event which is both mentioned in the Bible and documented in artifacts from the era.
In the bible, the Assyrians are remembered for their destruction of Israel’s northern tribes and the destruction of Jerusalem at the fall of the kingdom of Judah. The bible also mentions the Assyrian-built capital of Nineveh, a once-great city which was destroyed in 612 BC. This destruction might have been the end of the Assyrian Empire, which would have been recalled in the Great Isaiah Scroll of the Dead Sea Scrolls.
Assyrians Present Day
Today, the Assyrian people are largely spread throughout the Middle East, although they make up the majority of the population in Iraq and Syria. It is estimated that around four million Assyrians are living in these countries, with their largest settlement located in the Nineveh Plains near Mosul. These populations have often faced persecution in these countries, with some claiming that they are victims of systemic attacks and discrimination.
Members of the religious minorities in Iraq, this group of individuals also has archaeological links to their ancient past and heritage. For instance, some of the remaining cities of Nineveh and Nimrud are engraved with Assyrian images and symbols, which continue to draw in tourists from all over the globe each year.
Assyrian Activism
Despite their struggles, Assyrians remain determined to preserve their identity and culture. Members of this group have become prominent figures in the field of social activism, campaigning for the rights of Assyrians and other minority groups in the Middle East. This activism has included struggles for political autonomy and better representation in governments, as well as protests against violence and hate crimes committed against Assyrian minorities.
In recent years, these activists have used the internet and social media as tools to spread awareness of Assyrian identity and culture. Additionally, they have organized a number of conferences and events that educate and promote the Assyrian identity. Despite the struggles they face, Assyrians continue their fight for survival and recognition to this day
Assyrian Language Revitalisation
The language of the Assyrians, Akkadian, is not widely spoken today but is still preserved by some Assyrians and has become an important part of their cultural identity. The language has been taught in some schools in Iraq and Syria in recent years as part of a broader effort to preserve this ancient language. Additionally, there are various online initiatives dedicated to reviving the language and teaching it to new generations.
Assyrian Music
Music is an integral part of Assyrian identity and is used to express their stories and experiences to the world. Assyrian music can be divided into two distinct genres, traditional music and modern music. Traditional Assyrians music is closely tied to the Christian minority and includes traditional melodies, often involving singing and traditional instruments. While modern Assyrian music is more commercially popular and tends to be more modern in style, incorporating a variety of genres, including electronic, rock and rap.
Asseriya – Courageous Assyrian Women
Asseriya, or brave Assyrian women, are a group of empowered women who fight for secure and just futures for Assyrians living in countries like Iraq and Syria. This group educates young Assyrians about their history and culture and works to secure funding and resources for Assyrian communities. Additionally, they advocate for justice and peace in places affected by conflict and displacement and campaign to raise awareness of the Assyrian identity.
Assyrians Across the Globe
Today, the Assyrian diaspora is spread throughout the world, with significant populations in places like the United States and Australia. Assyrian immigrants have helped shape the culture of these countries, introducing new languages, foods and customs to the populations.
In many cases, the Assyrians have managed to maintain close ties with their homeland, and many have even come back to the country to help rebuild their culture and identity. This strong spirit has helped the Assyrian people survive in an ever-shifting world and is an inspiration to their descendants around the world.
