Creating capitals: The rationale, construction, and function of the imperial capitals of Assyria

Creating capitals: The rationale, construction, and function of the imperial capitals of Assyria

Politopoulos, A. (2020) 

Doctoral Thesis 

 

The creation of new capital cities are watershed moments in the lives of ancient empires. Assyria, arguably the most successful imperial state of the ancient Near East, repeatedly engaged in capital creation. Capital creation denotes the development of a monumental capital, either in a new location or through the profound transformation of a pre-existing settlement. This dissertation focusses on the rationale, construction, and function of the imperial capitals of Assyria: Kār-Tukultī-Ninurta, Kalḫu, Dur-Šarrukēn, and Nineveh.

By exploring three key questions – why was a capital created, how was a capital created, and what were the functions of the capital – this study presents a comparative analysis of these four urban centers and presents a new perspective on their creation, as well as an innovative framework for the study of capital creation from antiquity to today. 

 

Assyria

Archaeology

Capital Cities

Near East

Empires

Urbanism

Assur

Nineveh

All authors

Politopoulos, A.

Supervisor

Akkermans, P.M.M.G.

Co-supervisor

Düring, B.S.

Comittee

Kolen, J.C.A.; Vroom, J.A.C.; Morandi, D.; Waerzeggers, C.; Meijer, D.J.W.

Qualification

Doctor (dr.)

Awarding Institution

Faculty of Archaeology , Leiden University

Date

2020-11-26

Title of host publication

Archaeological Studies Leiden University

Publisher

Leiden: Leiden University Press (LUP)

ISBN

9789087283520 ; 9789400603882