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Learner Reviews & Feedback for Organising an Empire: The Assyrian Way by Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München (LMU)

4.8
stars
818 ratings

About the Course

Discover the mighty kingdom of Assyria, which came to be the world’s first great empire three thousand years ago. From the 9th to the 7th centuries BC, during the imperial phase of Assyria’s long history, modern day northern Iraq was the central region of a state reaching from the Mediterranean Sea to the Persian Gulf, and incorporating what is now Iraq, Syria, and Lebanon, as well as half of Israel, and wide parts of south-eastern Turkey, and Western Iran. In its geographical extent, this state was unprecedentedly large, and the distinct geography of the Middle East, with deserts and high mountain ranges, posed challenges to communication and cohesion. What were the mechanisms that kept the Empire running? This course explores the methods the Assyrian government employed to ensure unity and maintain loyalty across vast distances, using traditional as well as innovative strategies. Some of these imperial techniques have marked parallels in the ways modern multi-national corporations are operating, others will strike you as profoundly alien. This course focusses on how the Assyrians organised their empire by analysing key aspects, namely: · The CEO – the king, a religious, political and military leader, who is charged to govern by his master, the god Assur; · Home Office – the royal palace in the central region and the royal court that form the administrative centre of the state; · The Regional Managers – the governors and client-rulers to whom local power is delegated; · Human Resources – the Empire’s people are its most precious assets, its consumers and its key product, as the goal of the imperial project was to create “Assyrians”; an approach with lasting repercussions that still reverberate in the Middle East today; and finally · The Fruits of Empire – it takes a lot of effort, so what are the rewards? When we explore these topics we will contextualise them with information about the lives led by ordinary Assyrian families. Taking this course will provide you with an overview of the political, social, religious, and military history of the world’s first superpower. It will give you insight into the geography and climatic conditions of the Middle East and contribute to your understanding of the opportunities and challenges of that region. It will present you with a vision of the Middle East at a time when its political and religious structures were very different from today....

Top reviews

RH

Jan 10, 2024

I really really enjoyed learning about the history and empire-managing ways of the Ancient Assyrians. I would love to see more Ancient Near Eastern history classes in the future!

MB

Mar 10, 2019

This course was so much fun. Thanks to all the good people that made it possible for us to not only attend but also enjoy it. Prof. Karen is a real treasure.

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226 - 250 of 321 Reviews for Organising an Empire: The Assyrian Way

By Francoise W

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Aug 12, 2021

Merci pour cette presentation magnifique

By Judith o G

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Apr 9, 2022

Not only very informative but also fun!

By louis f d m p s

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Mar 9, 2020

It has been a beautiful historical trip

By Margaret M

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Apr 25, 2023

So good I went thru it (mostly) twice

By Ines G

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Mar 1, 2018

Would love to hear more like this. :-)

By Claudette D

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Oct 8, 2019

Our Professor Karen Radner is so very

By Kocsis I K

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Jan 26, 2024

It was very interesting. Thank you!

By seda

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May 28, 2018

Amazing, inspiring, well-organized!

By Maksim M

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Feb 28, 2019

Very interesting and comprehensive

By francisco v r

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Sep 6, 2020

Brilleant, didactic and enjoyable

By Jeffrey G

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Apr 29, 2021

Excellent and engaging material.

By terry v

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Feb 5, 2025

So good I want to do it again!

By Nuzhat A

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Aug 12, 2020

I am happy to take the course

By Andrew Y

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Aug 13, 2021

Loved it, loved it, loved it

By Claudio P

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Aug 28, 2023

very good and interesting

By FRANK A

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May 17, 2020

A very interesting course

By Leonard S

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Jun 15, 2022

Excellant presentations.

By JUAN C O C

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Jan 2, 2022

It's been a great course

By Heidi E

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Sep 12, 2020

Fascinating and relevant

By Joyce E G d S

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Mar 27, 2020

A VERY ENJOYABLE COURSE!

By Ксения К

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Mar 26, 2020

Very interesting course!

By Arne E

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Jan 31, 2023

Made in a competent way

By Korzuk A

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Jan 25, 2019

Very interesting course

By Berna D S

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Jul 14, 2025

It was a good journey!