They were the successor to the “Old” and “Middle” Assyrian states of the second millennium. Assyrians showed the painful side of imperial rule which were, the constant and harsh warfare and the manipulation of subjects. The Assyrians were most known for there ruthless efficiency, reliance on terror and deportations. They used these tactics to crush their rivals. The Assyrians had several advantages compared to there challengers. Their Army was hardened, disciplined and professional making them the strongest of the three empires. The Assyrian State was divided into two parts the land of Ashur and the “Land under the Yoke of Ashur”. The Land of Ashur was governed by king’s appointees who carried the state’s business. The Yolk of Ashur was filled with inhabitants were not considered Assyrians. In replace of supplying agricultural goods these states found great delivering massive amounts of tribute in the form of gold and silver. The Neo-Assyrian used expansion, exploitation and inequality to support and justify its system. The Assyrians controlled most of the land from Persia to Egypt. Although the great Neo-Assyrian Empire was thriving steadily, imperial expansion led to overextended armies and subjects too distant to control causing the Neo-Assyrian Empire to collapse as Nineveh was …show more content…
The Zhou set up a patrimonial state similar to the Assyrian’s but different from the Persians. The Zhou were the smallest of the three empires. Although they were small they expanded their dynasty like the Assyrians and Persian’s did. Zhou rulers introduced a new political doctrine known as the Mandate of Heaven. “The mandate of heaven was a religious compact between the Zhou people and their god.” The Zhou Social Hierarchy was similar to the Persians. The rulers and royal ministers were at the the top of the caste system. The Peasants were at the lowest of the Hierarchy. Technology allowed the Zhou to compete with other Empires. To a certain extent wealth trumped gender making a rich woman have a higher status than a poor male. Overall China has been slowly advancing as a country. The Zhou seem to follow this path as they slowly integrated their countryside using iron plows. The Zhou used Canals to promote communication and trade throughout the empire. Although the Zhou promoted communication and trade it was not to the extent of The Assyrian and Persian Empire. Eventually the Zhou dynasty began to collapse when social dislocations and landholding shook the systems social and political