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Learner Reviews & Feedback for Organising an Empire: The Assyrian Way by Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München (LMU)

4.8
stars
802 ratings

About the Course

Discover the mighty kingdom of Assyria, which came to be the world’s first great empire three thousand years ago. From the 9th to the 7th centuries BC, during the imperial phase of Assyria’s long history, modern day northern Iraq was the central region of a state reaching from the Mediterranean Sea to the Persian Gulf, and incorporating what is now Iraq, Syria, and Lebanon, as well as half of Israel, and wide parts of south-eastern Turkey, and Western Iran. In its geographical extent, this state was unprecedentedly large, and the distinct geography of the Middle East, with deserts and high mountain ranges, posed challenges to communication and cohesion. What were the mechanisms that kept the Empire running? This course explores the methods the Assyrian government employed to ensure unity and maintain loyalty across vast distances, using traditional as well as innovative strategies. Some of these imperial techniques have marked parallels in the ways modern multi-national corporations are operating, others will strike you as profoundly alien. This course focusses on how the Assyrians organised their empire by analysing key aspects, namely: · The CEO – the king, a religious, political and military leader, who is charged to govern by his master, the god Assur; · Home Office – the royal palace in the central region and the royal court that form the administrative centre of the state; · The Regional Managers – the governors and client-rulers to whom local power is delegated; · Human Resources – the Empire’s people are its most precious assets, its consumers and its key product, as the goal of the imperial project was to create “Assyrians”; an approach with lasting repercussions that still reverberate in the Middle East today; and finally · The Fruits of Empire – it takes a lot of effort, so what are the rewards? When we explore these topics we will contextualise them with information about the lives led by ordinary Assyrian families. Taking this course will provide you with an overview of the political, social, religious, and military history of the world’s first superpower. It will give you insight into the geography and climatic conditions of the Middle East and contribute to your understanding of the opportunities and challenges of that region. It will present you with a vision of the Middle East at a time when its political and religious structures were very different from today....

Top reviews

DC

Jun 25, 2020

As others have written a very good course good set of lecturers. One of the more informative and well presented of the courses on offer here and a good start to farther study.

JD

Jul 7, 2018

Professor Radner, her staff, and the expert faculty that she had speak provided an amazing journey into a long gone government, society, and culture and made it seem alive.

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201 - 225 of 319 Reviews for Organising an Empire: The Assyrian Way

By Jeffery Z

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Dec 20, 2018

Excellent course, well-designed, and easy to be understood.

By Christine B

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Apr 2, 2018

Excellent course taught with humour and passion. Thank you.

By Alan G

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Sep 21, 2020

Really enjoyable with mix of material and techniques used

By Stanley A

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Jun 7, 2020

Very informative and well-made course. Thank you so much!

By Linda S

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Dec 27, 2022

I found this course very informative and well presented.

By Maria E S

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Aug 2, 2021

This course changed my perspective about the Assyrians!

By György P

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May 13, 2020

Useful and interesting information, clear presentation!

By Robert C

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Jul 24, 2022

I am trying to buy the certicate. It won't allow it.

By Otari G

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Jun 13, 2020

Absolutely fabulous! Many thanks for such opportunity.

By Jet L

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May 13, 2018

Entertaining mooc about a fascinating ancient empire.

By David

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Apr 6, 2021

Many thanks to Ms. Karen and all other participants.

By Curcubet G

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Nov 30, 2024

Well built course with very good practical lessons.

By William L

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Aug 20, 2021

Very engaging and well-organized course! Thank you!

By 1846 s

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Jan 11, 2021

Culture and History, our great legacy, part of us.

By Luis A C

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Sep 24, 2020

The best and most interesting course i take so far

By Maritza B

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Aug 5, 2020

Thank you Prof. Radner for sharing your knowledge

By Rose S

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Oct 23, 2025

A first rate MOOC (and I've done a lot of them!)

By Simone S D S

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Jul 18, 2023

Very important for the study of Assyrian Empire!

By Elvin A

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Jul 17, 2022

Un curso muy completo sobre el imperio Asirio

By Vuslat T

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Nov 7, 2021

It was an amazing course, thanks a lot Karen!

By Sandra T

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Jan 13, 2021

Interesting, fascinating and engaging course.

By David H

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Mar 23, 2018

Comprehensive, coherent and very well paced.

By Güner S

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Nov 25, 2023

I learned a lot from this course. Thank you

By Francoise W

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Aug 12, 2021

Merci pour cette presentation magnifique

By Judith o G

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Apr 9, 2022

Not only very informative but also fun!