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Learner Reviews & Feedback for Organising an Empire: The Assyrian Way by Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München (LMU)

4.8
stars
748 ratings

About the Course

Discover the mighty kingdom of Assyria, which came to be the world’s first great empire three thousand years ago. From the 9th to the 7th centuries BC, during the imperial phase of Assyria’s long history, modern day northern Iraq was the central region of a state reaching from the Mediterranean Sea to the Persian Gulf, and incorporating what is now Iraq, Syria, and Lebanon, as well as half of Israel, and wide parts of south-eastern Turkey, and Western Iran. In its geographical extent, this state was unprecedentedly large, and the distinct geography of the Middle East, with deserts and high mountain ranges, posed challenges to communication and cohesion. What were the mechanisms that kept the Empire running? This course explores the methods the Assyrian government employed to ensure unity and maintain loyalty across vast distances, using traditional as well as innovative strategies. Some of these imperial techniques have marked parallels in the ways modern multi-national corporations are operating, others will strike you as profoundly alien. This course focusses on how the Assyrians organised their empire by analysing key aspects, namely: · The CEO – the king, a religious, political and military leader, who is charged to govern by his master, the god Assur; · Home Office – the royal palace in the central region and the royal court that form the administrative centre of the state; · The Regional Managers – the governors and client-rulers to whom local power is delegated; · Human Resources – the Empire’s people are its most precious assets, its consumers and its key product, as the goal of the imperial project was to create “Assyrians”; an approach with lasting repercussions that still reverberate in the Middle East today; and finally · The Fruits of Empire – it takes a lot of effort, so what are the rewards? When we explore these topics we will contextualise them with information about the lives led by ordinary Assyrian families. Taking this course will provide you with an overview of the political, social, religious, and military history of the world’s first superpower. It will give you insight into the geography and climatic conditions of the Middle East and contribute to your understanding of the opportunities and challenges of that region. It will present you with a vision of the Middle East at a time when its political and religious structures were very different from today....

Top reviews

SS

Jan 15, 2021

This was my first MOOC and I fully enjoyed every aspect. The knowledge level of the instructors was evident as was their commitment to their students and the varied formats were consistently engaging.

LF

Jan 27, 2021

The variety of presentations of a vast amount of knowledge made it engaging. Dr. Radner herself was engaging! The course provided a deep look into a civilization that is a bedrock to the modern world.

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151 - 175 of 301 Reviews for Organising an Empire: The Assyrian Way

By Brian W

May 10, 2020

Really enjoyed learning about the Assyrian Empire. A very good course, well structured and delivered. Thank you.

By Renan A

Jul 19, 2022

An excellent course to understand the rise and fall of the world's first imperialist civilization. I recommend.

By Laura M M G

Jun 4, 2021

This course was interesting, great, and it gave me a totally different perspective of Asiria. Thank you!

By Julie B

Sep 28, 2020

Excellent course - enjoyable and very informative presentation of interesting and complex information.

By Andrea B

Nov 10, 2020

A great introduction to the Assyrians, their history, and their impact on the course of civilisation.

By Nadia

May 19, 2020

Perfect course, rich material, lots of informations but very clearly transmitted. Couldn't be better.

By Victor R

Jan 1, 2024

Excellent course! It was a pleasure learning here. Too bad there is no certificate awarded for it...

By Pradeepa M M

May 3, 2020

Amazing lecturer!! she is so detailed and this is an amazing introduction to the Assyrian Empire!

By Lea H

Nov 10, 2020

it was so perfect thanks a lot i loved every moment and esp enjoyed the ask the experts segments

By Eduardo T

Feb 27, 2019

Interesting and well presented course. Very recommended for who is interested in the subject

By Laurence V

Feb 3, 2020

Very clear, very interesting and varied from a passionate professor. A wonderful journey !!!

By Nikki J

Jan 8, 2023

the presentation and the talks were great. Learned a lot of things that I didn't know about

By Rafael M

Mar 2, 2019

The course is great. The readings are enriching and the instructor is very knowleadgleable.

By Theresa G

Jun 14, 2023

Exceptional. Karen is such an engaging teacher. It was a real pleasure taking this course!

By Alex C

Jun 5, 2020

Excellent course: well presented and covered a range of topics about the Assyrian Empire.

By Lurdes Q

Dec 23, 2020

Mucha información, interesante y a la vez muy entretenido. Felicidades y muchas gracias.

By Anna J

Nov 30, 2023

An excellent and enjoyable course with great lectures. I learnt so much. Thank you.

By Sabina E N

May 13, 2020

Amazing course! I liked it VERY much, enjoyed and learned a lot! Thank you Karen!!

By Chris g

Apr 3, 2021

I thought this course was great. Presenter was passionate and very knowlegable.

By Colin D

Feb 1, 2020

really enjoyed this course, gave me more of an insight to the Assyrian empire

By Laure C

Dec 26, 2022

Brilliant course!

Thank you so much for putting such great content ou there!

By S. G C

Sep 22, 2020

An impressive story very well explained. The course was clear and complete.

By Luís M G d S A

Nov 23, 2022

Excellent course. The best course about the Assyrian Empire I came across.

By Kurt A

Feb 18, 2021

Excellent lecturer and lectures. Content was interesting and engaging.

By Roger M

Sep 13, 2018

Very enjoyable course. It was put together well and I learned a lot.