At the height of its power, around 660 BC, the Assyrian Empire, centered in northern Iraq, exerted dominance from Egypt to Iran. This extensive region was governed by a series of kings who promoted their power through the construction of magnificent palaces, adorned with exquisite sculptures depicting royal ceremonies, battles, and hunting activities. Founded by military force, the empire thrived under an administration that relocated tens of thousands of people to serve the state, as well as under the guidance of scholars who interpreted divine will. This book examines the history of Assyria through the lens of its royal family and officials who commissioned its splendid buildings, art, and literature, and who laid the foundations for the subsequent empires of Babylon and Persia.