Assyrian Deportations

Assyrian deportations were a brutal tactic used by the ancient Assyrian Empire from the 10th to the 7th century BCE to control conquered peoples. After defeating a city or nation, the Assyrians would forcibly relocate its inhabitants—often thousands at a time—to different parts of the empire. This strategy aimed to disrupt local identities, discourage rebellion, and populate Assyrian territories. The displaced populations faced harsh conditions and were often assimilated into new cultures. These deportations played a crucial role in the Assyrian strategy of empire-building and maintaining political dominance over a diverse and expansive territory.