The Ancient World

Synopsis: During Neo-Assyria’s absence from the region, King Hazael of Aram-Damascus forges an Aramean Empire that extends to the borders of Egypt.

“And Hazael said, ‘Why does my lord weep?’ He answered, ‘Because I know the evil that you will do to the people of Israel. You will set on fire their fortresses, and you will kill their young men with the sword and dash in pieces their little ones and rip open their pregnant women.’” – 2 Kings 8:12, English Standard Bible

Map of the Iron Age Near East:

https://audio.ancientworldpodcast.com/Map_Near_East.jpg

Map of Iron Age Northern Syria:

https://audio.ancientworldpodcast.com/Map_Syria.jpg

Map of Iron Age Southern Syria and Canaan:

https://audio.ancientworldpodcast.com/Map_Canaan.jpg

Episode Images:

https://audio.ancientworldpodcast.com/C21_Images.pdf

References and Further Reading:

https://audio.ancientworldpodcast.com/C21_References.pdf

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Synopsis: In Shalmaneser’s final years, his eldest son – the crown prince Assur-danin-pal – enters into rebellion, while his younger son, Shamshi-Adad, struggles to defend his father’s legacy.

“Where my brother Assur-danin-pal, in the time of Shalmaneser, his father, acted wickedly, bringing about sedition, rebellion, and wicked plotting, caused the land to rise in revolt, prepared for war, brought the people of Assyria, north and south, to his side, and made bold speeches, brought the cities into the rebellion and set his face to begin strife and battle… 27 cities, along with their fortifications… revolted against Shalmaneser, king of the four regions of the world, my father, and… had gone to the side of Assur-danin-pal.” – Annals of King Shamshi-Adad V

Map of the Iron Age Near East:

https://audio.ancientworldpodcast.com/Map_Near_East.jpg

Map of Iron Age Northern Syria:

https://audio.ancientworldpodcast.com/Map_Syria.jpg

Map of Iron Age Southern Syria and Canaan:

https://audio.ancientworldpodcast.com/Map_Canaan.jpg

Episode Images:

https://audio.ancientworldpodcast.com/C20_Images.pdf

Regional Kings List:

https://audio.ancientworldpodcast.com/C19_C20_Kings_List.pdf

References and Further Reading:

https://audio.ancientworldpodcast.com/C20_References.pdf

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Synopsis: Hazael of Aram-Damascus and Jehu of Israel bring desolation to the house of Omri. After decades of leading Assyrian campaigns, Shalmaneser III dispatches his turtanu, Dayan-Assur, to fight the newly-formed kingdom of Urartu.

“And the Lord said unto (Elijah), Go, return on thy way to the wilderness of Damascus:

And then thou comest, anoint Hazael to be king over Syria:

And Jehu the son of Nimshi shalt thou anoint to be king over Israel:…

And it shall come to pass, that him that escapeth the sword of Hazael shall Jehu slay.” – 1 Kings 19: 15-17

Map of the Iron Age Near East:

https://audio.ancientworldpodcast.com/Map_Near_East.jpg

Map of Iron Age Northern Syria:

https://audio.ancientworldpodcast.com/Map_Syria.jpg

Map of Iron Age Southern Syria and Canaan:

https://audio.ancientworldpodcast.com/Map_Canaan.jpg

Episode Images:

https://audio.ancientworldpodcast.com/C19_Images.pdf

Regional Kings List:

https://audio.ancientworldpodcast.com/C19_C20_Kings_List.pdf

References and Further Reading:

https://audio.ancientworldpodcast.com/C19_References.pdf

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Synopsis: A coalition marshalled by Hadad-ezer of Aram-Damascus and Urahilina of Hamath successfully defends southern Syria from further Assyrian encroachment. But a decade of campaigning by Shalmaneser begins to take its toll.

“I destroyed, devastated, and set fire to Qarqar, his royal city. Urahilina brought twelve kings to his support; they came against me to offer battle and fight: 1,200 chariots, 1,200 cavalry, and 20,000 soldiers belonging to Hadad-ezer of Damascus; 700 chariots, 700 cavalry, and 10,000 soldiers belonging to Urahilina of Hamath; 2,000 chariots, and 10,000 soldiers belonging to Ahab, the Israelite; 500 soldiers belonging to the Gueans; 1,000 soldiers belonging to the Musreans; 10 chariots and 10,000 soldiers belonging to the Irkanateans; 200 soldiers belonging to Matinuba’il the Arwadite; 200 soldiers belonging to the Usanateans; 30 chariots and 1,000 soldiers belonging to Adunu-ba’il the Shianean; 1,000 camels belonging to Gindibu’ the Arabian; and 1,000 soldiers [belonging to] Baasha, son of Ruhubi, the Ammonite. Trusting in the exalted might which the lord Assur had given me, in the mighty weapons, which Nergal, who goes before me, had presented to me, I battled with them.” – The Kurkh Stele of Shalmaneser III

Map of the Early Iron Age Near East:

https://audio.ancientworldpodcast.com/Map_Near_East.jpg

Map of Early Iron Age Southern Syria and Canaan:

https://audio.ancientworldpodcast.com/Map_Canaan.jpg

The Kings of Syria and Canaan:

https://audio.ancientworldpodcast.com/Season_3_King_List.pdf

Episode Images:

https://audio.ancientworldpodcast.com/C18_Images.pdf

References and Further Reading:

https://audio.ancientworldpodcast.com/C18_References.pdf

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Synopsis: Political intrigues in Iron Age Israel end with the rise of King Omri. The kingdoms of Hamath and Aram-Damascus leverage military power and regional diplomacy to prepare for the coming of Shalmaneser.

“I am Urahilina, son of Paritas, king of Hamath…I made my own seat for every single god. But this seat I built for Ba’alat, and I put my name and Ba’alat’s on it…During the time of my father and grandfather, the temple of Ba’alat lacked income. They did not burn the burnt offering, a sacrificial ox, up and down to the god. But myself, in my times, it shall not lack income.” – Building inscription of King Urahilina of Hamath, recording the construction and endowment of a temple to the goddess Ba’alat

Map of the Early Iron Age Near East:

https://audio.ancientworldpodcast.com/Map_Near_East.jpg

Map of Early Iron Age Southern Syria and Canaan:

https://audio.ancientworldpodcast.com/Map_Canaan.jpg

The Kings of Syria and Canaan:

https://audio.ancientworldpodcast.com/Season_3_King_List.pdf

Episode Images:

https://audio.ancientworldpodcast.com/C17_Images.pdf

References and Further Reading:

https://audio.ancientworldpodcast.com/C17_References.pdf

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Synopsis: Shalmaneser’s Syrian invasions were countered by a coalition forged by King Ahuni of Bit-Adini. But repeated campaigns wore down his rivals and ended in Assyrian dominance.

“Ahuni, terrified by my terrible, awe-inspiring weapons and my grim warfare, crossed over the Euphrates to save his life, and made his way to other lands. At the command of my lord Assur, the great lord, I annexed Til-barsip, Aligu, Nappigi and Rugulit as royal cities. I settled Assyrians there and built palaces in them for my royal residence.  I renamed Til-barsip as Kar-Shalmaneser.” – Inscription of Shalmaneser III on the Kurkh Monolith

Map of the Early Iron Age Near East:

https://audio.ancientworldpodcast.com/Map_Near_East.jpg

Map of Early Iron Age Northern Syria:

https://audio.ancientworldpodcast.com/Map_Syria.jpg

The Kings of Syria and Canaan:

https://audio.ancientworldpodcast.com/Season_3_King_List.pdf

Episode Images:

https://audio.ancientworldpodcast.com/C16_Images.pdf

References and Further Reading:

https://audio.ancientworldpodcast.com/C16_References.pdf

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Synopsis: The Syrian campaigns of Ashurnasirpal II cemented Assyrian dominance. Tribute from the western kingdoms fueled construction of the king’s magnificent new showpiece of Kalhu.

“Ashurnasirpal, strong king, king of Assyria, designate of the god Sin, favorite of the god Anu, loved one of the god Adad who is almighty among the gods, I, the merciless weapon which lays low lands hostile to him, I, the king, capable in battle, vanquisher of cities and highlands, foremost in battle, king of the four quarters.” – Inscription of King Ashurnasirpal II at Kalhu

Map of the Early Iron Age Near East:

https://audio.ancientworldpodcast.com/Map_Near_East.jpg

Map of Early Iron Age Northern Syria:

https://audio.ancientworldpodcast.com/Map_Syria.jpg

The Kings of Syria and Canaan:

https://audio.ancientworldpodcast.com/Season_3_King_List.pdf

Episode Images:

https://audio.ancientworldpodcast.com/C15_Images.pdf

References and Further Reading:

https://audio.ancientworldpodcast.com/C15_References.pdf

Please contact [email protected] if you would like to advertise on this podcast.

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Synopsis: The Country Lords of Carchemish adorned their city with temples and monuments. But Assyrian conquests in the Khabur River valley heralded a growing eastern threat.

“I am the ruler Katuwa, Country Lord of Carchemish, son of the Country Lord Suhi (II), grandson of the Country-Lord Astuwatamanza. The gods raised me by the hand and they gave to me my paternal succession. And because of my justice the gods raised me in strength….I myself then constructed the temple for the Storm God of Carchemish with that abundance, and I established for him seasonal offerings.” – Inscription of Katuwa on the King’s Gate at Carchemish, late 10th/early 9th century BC

Map of the Early Iron Age Near East:

https://audio.ancientworldpodcast.com/Map_Near_East.jpg

Map of Early Iron Age Northern Syria:

https://audio.ancientworldpodcast.com/Map_Syria.jpg

Rulers of Carchemish:

https://audio.ancientworldpodcast.com/C14_Rulers_of_Carchemish.jpg

Episode Images:

https://audio.ancientworldpodcast.com/C14_Images.pdf

References and Further Reading:

https://audio.ancientworldpodcast.com/C14_References.pdf

Please contact [email protected] if you would like to advertise on this podcast.

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Synopsis: The Canaanite cities of Tel-Rehov and Beth-Shean were re-founded by the Pharaoh Thutmose III in the wake of the Battle of Megiddo. By the early Iron Age, their size, location and wealth drew the attention of the Pharaoh Shoshenq I.

“(Thutmose) was in their center, Amun being the protection of his person in the melee, and the strength of Set pervading his members…Then (the enemy) saw his majesty prevailing over them, and they fled headlong to Megiddo with faces of fear.” – The Battle of Megiddo Inscription

Map of the Early Iron Age Near East:

https://audio.ancientworldpodcast.com/Map_Near_East.jpg

Map of Early Iron Age Southern Syria and Canaan:

https://audio.ancientworldpodcast.com/Map_Canaan.jpg

Episode Images:

https://audio.ancientworldpodcast.com/C13_Images.pdf

References and Further Reading:

https://audio.ancientworldpodcast.com/C13_References.pdf

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Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A brief history of The Ancient World. Plus: a new season, a new partnership and a new Patreon page!

www.patreon.com/TheAncientWorld

www.airwavemedia.com

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