In chapters 2-3 of the Age of Empires, Joannes shows how Assyria rose and fell in power. Assyria through primarily military means, conquered huge amounts of territory and most importantly collected yearly tribute that would fund his military campaigns. The Assyrian empire used effective, but brutal violence as means to check their vassal territories. In some cases, they would kill all male warriors to eradicate any threat, deport people to maintain control over the conquered population, and destroy any local landmarks to deprive the conquered territories of traditional structure. However, Assyria was often trying to crush rebellion that was often too distant for Assyria to crush effectively. Babylon was a constant source of trouble for the kings of Assyria. Baylonia often fervently resisted Assyria and often with the help of Elam. Assyria appointed many new kings or viceroys to Babylon after crushing the rebellion there.
Assyria’s royal power was also inherently weak. Rebellion at home led by the powerful landowning nobles who supplied soldiers and supplies to the king’s military campaigns often led to new kings and the lost of Assyrian power over the distant territories.
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