Final answer:
Life under Assyrian rule in Mesopotamia was harsh and militaristic, marked by a society organized into hierarchical classes and ruled by warrior kings. The Assyrians utilized terror tactics and were often brutal toward conquered peoples. However, they also respected and contributed to the cultural and scholarly heritage of Mesopotamia.
Step-by-step explanation:
Life under Assyrian rule in Mesopotamia can be characterized as harsh and militaristic. The Assyrian empire, prominent in the first half of the first millennium BCE, was known for its military dominance, led by warrior kings who mandated military service among men and held state offices largely in the hands of the military. The Assyrian society consisted of hierarchically organized classes, with the nobility at the top, often well-educated to serve in roles like military officers, governors, and priests.
Assyrian kings enforced their power through tactics of fear and dominance, employing terror tactics against conquered peoples and resettling them far from their homelands. They were known for their brutality in warfare, often torturing and mutilating defeated enemies to suppress any resistance. Despite this, Assyrian rulers did respect and support the cultural and intellectual heritage of Mesopotamia, collecting texts and establishing libraries, such as the famous library of king Asshurbanipal.
The relentless need for security and expansion stemmed partly from their geographical location in northern Mesopotamia, which lacked natural borders, necessitating a strong military to prevent invasions. The Assyrians justified their conquests not only by religious beliefs, as their patron war god Ashur demanded subservience, but also through a desire for dominance and wealth.