Final answer:
The Assyrians were known for their military strength and conquests, justifying their actions through religion and a desire for dominance. They formed large armies, maintained control through terror tactics and organizational innovations, and required tributes from conquered territories. The empire eventually fell due to rebellions and was completely destroyed.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Assyrians were known for their military strength and conquests. They were constantly forced to fight other civilizations and barbarians, and their strong military helped them survive in their region of northern Mesopotamia. They justified their conquests through their religious beliefs and desire for dominance.
The Assyrians formed large standing armies of native soldiers and dispatched annual military expeditions to conquer more territory. They also used terror tactics and various technological and organizational innovations, such as a messenger service, to maintain control over their empire. They required conquered territories to provide annual tributes of wealth to fund the state and the military.
The Assyrian empire fell in 609 BCE when it was overthrown by a series of rebellions led by Babylonians and horse-riding warriors called the Medes. The Assyrian people were carried off into slavery, and their empire was destroyed completely.