21 - Babylonia in the shadow of Assyria (747–626 B.C.)

Summary

BACKGROUND AND GENERAL TRENDS

Babylonia in the early centuries of the first millennium B.C. reached a nadir in its history. Political power was effectively fragmented between a weak central government, semi-independent cities, and vigorous tribes who controlled substantial portions of the hinterland. The older settled population had declined significantly in size as well as influence, although the cities continued as religious and intellectual centres. Long stretches of watercourses, the lifelines of irrigation agriculture, were abandoned or had fallen into disuse. Recorded economic life had all but ceased, and there is no evidence for significant foreign trade being carried on by the settled population. Because of her political and economic debility, Babylonia's international horizons during this period were considerably narrowed; almost all known contacts were with her immediate neighbours to the north and east: Assyria, Luristan, and Elam.

In the six score years between 747 and 626 B.C., Babylonia underwent a substantial but gradual transformation from political and economic weakness to reinvigorated national strength on the threshold of territorial expansion. The Late Assyrian empire dominated most of south-west Asia during these decades. For Babylonia, Assyrian military and political oppression served in effect as a catalyst: it stimulated the people of the land to develop new social institutions, to heal political fragmentation, and to transcend military backwardness. The stabilization of the Babylonian monarchy under Assyrian occupation enhanced the economic environment and prepared the way for revitalization of urban structures. It is the purpose of this chapter to chart the career of Babylonia over these crucial decades and to probe the reasons behind the transformation.