Under Mesopotamian and Persian Domination

Abstract

Attempts by Mesopotamian rulers to reach the Mediterranean began early and were repeated at intervals, but no serious formulation of the westward-push policy to seize the trade routes and their sea termini was made until the rise of the Assyrian empire. The time became opportune early in the eleventh century when both Egypt and Hittiteland had taken the precipitous downward course from which there seemed to be no return. The first to seize the opportunity was Tiglath-pileser I (1116–1093), who strengthened the base by extending his rule over the upper Euphrates and Babylonia.