Assyrian Exploitation of Iranian Territories

While Assyrian contact with Iran extended back to the trade networks established in the early second millennium B.C., the military exploitation of the lands of the western Zagros is a phenomenon of the Middle Assyrian and Neo-Assyrian periods. Irregular raids beginning in the thirteenth centuries B.C. laid the foundations for the more systemised exploitations of the Neo-Assyrian kings, including the formation of provinces by Tiglath-Pileser III and Sargon II. This lasted till the latter part of the seventh century B.C., a span of over 600 years. The savagery with which the Assyrians imposed their rule on the vanquished territories cannot be underestimated, and it was accompanied by ruthless stripping of the land. This included the abduction of flocks and herds, the deportation of populations, and the seizure of metal resources. Even the gods of the defeated might be seized and carried off to Assyria. Astonishingly, all this did not prevent Assyria from also conducting commercial operations in the subjugated areas.