Chevron Left
Back to Organising an Empire: The Assyrian Way

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

4.8
stars
768 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

SS

Jan 15, 2021

This was my first MOOC and I fully enjoyed every aspect. The knowledge level of the instructors was evident as was their commitment to their students and the varied formats were consistently engaging.

LF

Jan 27, 2021

The variety of presentations of a vast amount of knowledge made it engaging. Dr. Radner herself was engaging! The course provided a deep look into a civilization that is a bedrock to the modern world.

Filter by:

276 - 300 of 308 Reviews for Organising an Empire: The Assyrian Way

By char M

May 18, 2020

Karen is very knowledgeable, and mostly engaging. At first, I thought the student question and answer was not valuable, but I was wrong! Some of the most interesting tidbits came here. The experts section was not useful. Have one speak on his area of expertise.

By Giel B

Sep 18, 2022

well-organized, clear, very interesting, great choice of subjects; added value of contributions of other experts doubtful; suggestion: more pictures of artwork, archeological remains etc with explanation about origin, meaning and discovery.

By Pranav B

Jun 3, 2024

Lectures may be enhanced by adding some slow background music. The content is stimulating, and can be made even more so by possibly using mini-figurines to explain war sequences.

By Richard S

Feb 14, 2021

The course was an interesting overview of a small but very important time and place history. I found the material interesting and the level of detail was what right for me.

By Hunter J

May 13, 2023

Really enjoyed it! I wish there could've been a bit more content on Assyrian religion(s) and how Assyria affected its neighbors throughout the period discussed tho

By Niklas A

Mar 22, 2021

Very interesting, in particular getting an understanding of what society looked like and what people experienced as citizens of this early empire.

By Jack C

Jul 10, 2024

This course was interesting and I learned much about the Assyrian Empire, but I felt that the presentation of the information was quite tedious.

By Ken L

Sep 2, 2020

The course was relatively short and succinct. It answered a number of questions, and opened up some new areas of interest. Well done. Thank you.

By Antonio D D S

Oct 13, 2023

Estaría bien poder imprimir el PDF todas las páginas de los recursos. Solo de puede generar un PDF de una única página.

By Edward O T

Jul 21, 2020

Its been very helpful in trying to understand a little more of other kingdoms outside of Egypt, Greece, Turkey and Rome

By Dan S

Mar 13, 2022

Interesting. I also purchased her book 'Assyria an Introduction' to read a more indepth writing. Thank.s

By Jamison G

Oct 7, 2023

Great learning material. Felt the quizzes were a bit too hard, but otherwise a wonderful course!

By Mariia A G

Feb 6, 2021

I was inspired by the notion of "client-states" within Organising an Empire: The Assyrian Way.

By Varun N

May 26, 2020

Had heard very little of this great civilization; the course gave a superb insight into it

By Joy S

Apr 11, 2018

super interesting. I would give it a 5 stars except it has peer review in the final week

By J B

Sep 26, 2020

Exactly what I needed: A quick insight into the Assyrians. Thank you so much.

By Abigail T

Nov 8, 2023

Really enjoyed the course and thought it was very well structured.

By Herud

Feb 5, 2019

Not enough material about the military history of the empire.

By JOSE T B M

Nov 14, 2020

Esta bien bueno en general. Me gustaría mas apoyo visual

By Elaine H

Feb 14, 2022

interesting...could use some editing on some lessons

By domc28

Oct 2, 2023

VERY GOOD INFORMATION AND FUNNY TEACH

By John C

Oct 27, 2020

very interesting, history is so cool.

By UBAYDUR R R

Jun 4, 2020

very tremendous and flexible course.

By Katharina R

Mar 11, 2021

I learned much about the Assyrian Empire which I did not know before or ever imagined. Instructor Karen Radner taught the content well and in depth. I recommend this course. The content gave me much insight on how Assyrian traditions were also kind of similar to those of neighboring empires in ancient times. I am, however, missing the course certificate: therefore only 3 stars