The Assyrian Empire, on the other hand, collapsed like a house of cards when its army of mercenaries suffered a succession of disasters.  The kings, as we have indicated, depended on the tribute of subject States to pay their soldiers and maintain the priesthood; they were faced with national bankruptcy when their vassals successfully revolted against them.

The history of Assyria as a world power is divided into three periods:  (1) the Old Empire; (2) the Middle Empire; (3) the New or Last Empire.

We have followed the rise and growth of the Old Empire from the days of Ashur-uballit until the reign of Tukulti-Ninip, when it flourished in great splendour and suddenly went to pieces.  Thereafter, until the second period of the Old Empire, Assyria comprised but a few city States which had agricultural resources and were trading centres.  Of these the most enterprising was Asshur.  When a ruler of Asshur was able, by conserving his revenues, to command sufficient capital with purpose to raise a strong army of mercenaries as a business speculation, he set forth to build up a new empire on the ruins of the old.  In its early stages, of course, this process was slow and difficult.  It necessitated the adoption of a military career by native Assyrians, who officered the troops, and these troops had to be trained and disciplined by engaging in brigandage, which also brought them rich rewards for their services.  Babylonia became powerful by developing the arts of peace; Assyria became powerful by developing the science of warfare.

CHAPTER XVI.

RACE MOVEMENTS THAT SHATTERED EMPIRES

The Third Semitic Migration—­Achaean Conquest of Greece—­Fall of Crete—­Tribes of Raiders—­European Settlers in Asia Minor—­The Muski overthrow the Hittites—­Sea Raids on Egypt—­The Homeric Age—­Israelites and Philistines in Palestine—­Culture of Philistines—­Nebuchadrezzar I of Babylonia—­Wars against Elamites and Hittites—­Conquests in Mesopotamia and Syria—­Assyrians and Babylonians at War—­Tiglath-pileser I of Assyria—­His Sweeping Conquests—­Muski Power broken—­Big-game Hunting in Mesopotamia—­Slaying of a Sea Monster—­Decline of Assyria and Babylonia—­Revival of Hittite Civilization—­An Important Period in History—­Philistines as Overlords of Hebrews—­Kingdom of David and Saul—­Solomon’s Relations with Egypt and Phoenicia—­Sea Trade with India—­Aramaean Conquests—­The Chaldaeans—­Egyptian King plunders Judah and Israel—­Historical Importance of Race Movements.

Great changes were taking place in the ancient world during the period in which Assyria rose into prominence and suddenly suffered decline.  These were primarily due to widespread migrations of pastoral peoples from the steppe lands of Asia and Europe, and the resulting displacement of settled tribes.  The military operations of the great Powers were also a disturbing factor, for they not only propelled fresh movements beyond their spheres of influence, but caused the petty States to combine against a common enemy and foster ambitions to achieve conquests on a large scale.