Assyrian Exiles

The Assyrian Exiles refer to the forced relocation of the Assyrian people by the Assyrian Empire during the 8th and 7th centuries BCE. This practice aimed to control conquered regions by scattering communities, breaking their resistance, and integrating them into Assyrian society. The most notable instance occurred when the Assyrians conquered the northern kingdom of Israel in 722 BCE, leading to the deportation of many Israelites. This practice was a strategy to maintain power and suppress revolts, significantly shaping the demographic and cultural landscape of the ancient Near East.