The Assyrian civilization

Around 2000 BC, the Assyrians settled along the Tigris River north of Mesopotamia.

It was a partly sedentary people who dedicated themselves to agriculture and partly nomadic people who grazed their livestock in the nearby mountains.

Assur was the capital of the Assyrian kingdom and became a great commercial center.

To maintain their independence from other marauding peoples, the Assyrians paid tribute to neighboring populations to avoid being plundered.