Assyrians

"The tallest blade is the first to be cut by the scythe."

 Back to the list of cultures

The **Assyrians** are a culture available in the Ancient Era, with the Expansionist culture focus.

*"A culture ready for war, the Assyrians are a fierce, military-focused people with martial prowess driven by the noble classes who seek land and riches."*

## Culture orientation

These cultures gain extra Fame from Expansionist Era Stars for claiming Territories.

###  Affinity Action: Under One Banner

Can forcibly annex Territories occupied by other Empire's Outposts and Administrative Centers.

* For annexing, you need to move an Army to **stand on** another Empire's Outpost or Administrative Center.
* The process will take the Army a few turns, cost a sum of Money, and can be interrupted when someone attacking the annexing Army.
* You cannot trigger multiple annexations at the same time, and will need to wait a few turns after each successful annexation before using this Affinity Action again.
* Territories held by your Allies cannot be annexed.

###  Affinity Bonus: Ambition

Can always trespass due to Expansionist affinity.

* That is, can actively trespass despite the **Border Policy** Treaty being at **Closed Borders**.
* The trespassing Army will not suffer trespassing Health penalty anymore.
* The **"Trespassing"** Grievance still applies to the trespassing Army.

## Trait: Raid Masters

* +1 Land Movement Speed on Unit
* +5Combat Strength bonus when Ransacking on Army
* +100% Ransack gains on Army

## Emblematic quarter: Dunnu

“Providing high border defence, this fortified citadel allows the Assyrians to assert their dominance over conquered territories.”

* +20District Fortification
* +2Combat Strength in combat for Units in or adjacent to the District

## Emblematic unit: Assyrian Raiders

“Known for their sweeping raids across desert and plain, these horsemen seek wealth and power for the empire.”

Close-combat Unit that ignores enemy zones of control. Particularly good for running down Ranged Units. Unable to climb Fortifications.
**Pillager**

## City names

The names listed are default names, players can change their cities' names if they choose.

**Aššur, Ninuwā, Dūr-Šarrukīn, Arbailu, Kalḫu, Harrānu, Sirqu, Qaṭṭara, Arrapḫa, Dūr-Katlimmu**

* Since Assyrians are an Ancient culture, the Assyrians player's capital city will bear the first name on the city list.

## Encyclopedia entry

A culture ready for war, the Assyrians are a fierce, military-focused people with martial prowess driven by the noble classes who seek land and riches.

The Assyrian civilization developed into a succession of states and dynasties from the beginning of the second millennium until the seventh century BCE. At its peak in the eighth century BCE, the Assyrian empire controlled a territory comprising all of Mesopotamia, central Anatolia, the eastern edge of the Mediterranean, and the Nile Valley.

**To learn more:**

The terms Assyria and Assyrian were created in the 19th century and come from the ancient name Assur (Aššur). They are used to describe at the same time a territory, a language, and a group of states. Established as an independent city-state in the 21st century BCE, Assur took advantage of its strategic position on the trade routes between Mesopotamia and Anatolia to assert control over its neighbors. Then, during two phases of expansion (from the 14th-13th and 9th-7th centuries BCE) the Assyrian kingdom assimilated the Mesopotamian kingdoms to form a vast empire. This growth was possible thanks in particular to its effective cavalry and war chariots. Expansionist states, these kingdoms and empires were ruled by a monarch who represented the earthly incarnation of the city's tutelary deity, the god Assur. During their most aggressive phases of expansion, the Assyrian armies were known for their use of violence in their annual military campaigns. Acting as predatory armies, they engaged in pillaging, deportation, and acts of cruelty with an intensity that was uncommon for the time. The Assyrian kings were also great builders who would not hesitate to build -- or rebuild -- a new capital city to demonstrate their power. These creations required huge amounts of labor, displaced tens of thousands of people, and required substantial food supplies to feed their populations.

**Did you know?**

The Assyrian Empire and civilization reached their height at the time of the death of King Assurbanipal in around 630 BCE, but collapsed abruptly only 21 years later. This sudden decline resulted from the vast resources required to maintain the Assyrian armies and which weakened the empire internally. The Assyrian civilization was subsequently dominated in the Near East by the Babylonian, Medes, and Elamite civilizations.

1. ↑ In-game encyclopedia