Assyrian military architecture (Neo-Assyrian period 934-612 BC)

The military architecture of Assyrians, representatives of a vast empire ruling over the continents, has always been overshadowed by its political history, temples, civilian palaces, upper city, pottery pieces, art objects with depictions, small findings and military expeditions. Assyrians centuries-long existence as one of the largest empires in the Near East was not merely possible with its military expeditions. They managed to convince their enemies that their capital is unbreakable and impassable also with the military architecture they built. The abstract image of Assyrians military, political, ideological and economical accomplishments is created by its mightful military architecture. The defense buildings are the most expensive and monumental mediums of propaganda, a demonstrator of power, wealth and resistance for an eye looking from the outside. In fact, fortified Assyrian cities show the greater image of the nonending military power and undefeatable, always-triumphant army that Assyrians depicted on reliefs. The impact of statical and aesthetical military architecture bearing ideological senses is incontrovertible for the existence of the civilization on this harsh geography. Outer front wall, adherent and semi adherent inner front walls that are evaluated within the group of frontal fortifications functioned as barriers for the main wall, the back bone of the defense system. The ditches positioned parallelly with frontal fortifications have been transformed into defense reinforcements. Inner front walls (šalḫû) were built between the ditch (ḫirīṣu) and the main wall. šalḫû and ekal māšarti, archaeologically proved in Assyrian capitals, are distinguished buildings of Assyrian military architecture during Neo-Assyrian period. ekal māšarti, whose existence is proved only in capitals are buildings with complex contents constructed with military concerns and can be evaluated specifically as building complexes with multi functions as palace-barrack-armory-warehouse-barn and workshop. The military camps (ušmannu, madāktu, karāšu) whose different plans are accessible in the military expeditions out of the “Assyrian Core” have merlons and are encircled by walls reinforced with towers. The city gates (abullu) used for the communication of the cities with the outer world, gate towers are equipped with multiple-pass systems and locking mechanisms. Several Assyrian gate types, different from each other with the components added, are recorded. With the cautions applied on the gates, only physical enemies have been obstructed. For “evil spirits and demons”, apotropaic elements were applied. Every part of the Assyrian military architecture should be perceived as equipment that bear ideological senses beyond architectural, constructive and decorative details as well as having many cultural codes in the background.