Question

What fate awaited the inhabitants of a city like Jerusalem or Babylon who resisted Assyrian rule? Despite their dangers, why have people throughout history chosen to live in cities anyway? What other factors, besides military conquest, might have contributed to the decline of an ancient civilization?

Answer 1

In ancient times, resisting Assyrian rule often led to destruction and enslavement. People chose to live in cities for economic and social opportunities. Factors such as natural disasters and cultural decline could contribute to the decline of ancient civilizations.

Step-by-step explanation:

The fate that awaited the inhabitants of a city like Jerusalem or Babylon who resisted Assyrian rule was typically destruction, enslavement, and deportation. One example is the Babylonian Captivity of the Jews in 586 BCE, when the Neo-Babylonians burned Jerusalem and enslaved tens of thousands of Jews. Despite the dangers, people throughout history have chosen to live in cities because of the economic and social opportunities they offer, such as trade, cultural exchange, and access to resources.

Besides military conquest, other factors that could have contributed to the decline of an ancient civilization include natural disasters, environmental degradation, political instability, economic collapse, and cultural decline. These factors can weaken a civilization's infrastructure, disrupt its social order, and erode its resources, leading to its eventual collapse.

Learn more about Resisting Assyrian rule and decline of ancient civilizations here:

Answer 2

1) Fighting and/or death, unless they won a decisive victory which would be unlikely.

2) Despite their dangers, cities were and continue to be thriving areas for humans to communicate. There are more and better jobs, better living standards, and better education.

3) New diseases killing many, failing leaders leading to increased warfare, collapse of trade routes, uncontrollable population movements, and political unrest.