Tiglath-pileser I was an important king of the early Assyrian empire. He began his rule around 1100 B.C., a very long time ago! Tiglath-pileser I was a brave warrior who went to war against many kingdoms, including the Babylonians and Syrians. He boasted about conquering an impressive 42 kings! Tiglath-pileser I was not only a king but also an expert hunter. On one of his hunting trips, he is said to have killed over 900 lions and captured several elephants. He was truly a skilled and fearless ruler! 

King Esarhaddon was another important Assyrian ruler. He lived from 680 to 669 B.C. and greatly expanded the Assyrian empire. His conquests were remarkable! In 671 B.C., he achieved a monumental feat by conquering Egypt in less than a month. Egypt was considered one of the strongest kingdoms in the Middle East, and Esarhaddon's victory demonstrated the might of the Assyrian empire. 

After capturing Egypt, the Assyrian empire stretched over 1,000 miles, making it one of the largest empires the world had ever seen. Its center was in what is now northern Iraq, and its capital city was called Nineveh. The Assyrians were known for their highly trained and professional armies. Their troops had a lot of experience in battle and were organized into various units. Some fought on chariots and horses, while others used bows and arrows. The Assyrians had a group of mobile soldiers equipped with iron-headed battering rams to knock down town walls. Their iron weapons were much stronger than the bronze weapons used by their enemies. To facilitate their military campaigns, the Assyrians built well-constructed roads that allowed their troops to move quickly and easily. 

The Assyrians were feared for their brutal treatment of their enemies. They used violence and cruelty as a way to maintain control and intimidate others. Historical accounts mention the ruthless acts of early Assyrian kings, such as Assurnarsipal. He is known to have burned many captives, cut off their hands, fingers, noses, and ears, and even put out their eyes. The Assyrians' reputation for cruelty helped them establish dominance and instill fear in those who opposed them. 

The Assyrian kings were not only powerful warriors but also rich and influential rulers. They wrote stories about their victories on the walls of their grand and expensive palaces. Building empires meant acquiring power and wealth. The Assyrians forced the peoples they conquered to pay them tribute or taxes, which brought them immense riches. Archaeologists have discovered tablets containing the words of the Assyrian king Sennacherib. One tablet describes the wealth he took from the Hebrew king Hezekiah, who bravely resisted the Assyrian attack on the capital city of Jerusalem. The tribute included gold, silver, jewels, ivory furniture, elephants' hides, tusks, and even male and female singers. The Assyrian kings had a lavish lifestyle, surrounded by opulence and luxury.

With their power and wealth, the Assyrian kings built strong and beautiful cities like Nineveh and Calah. The Assyrians were not only skilled warriors but also inventors and traders. They are believed to have invented many things we still use today, such as glassmaking, locks and keys, and even the game of backgammon. However, despite their incredible achievements, the Assyrian Empire eventually began to crumble. Fighting between King Assurbanipal and his brother weakened the empire. Soon, foreign invaders, including the Medes from Iran and the Chaldeans of Babylonia, overpowered the Assyrians. The once-mighty empire was destroyed in 612 B.C., and it never rose again.