The following book was reviewed in a publication that is no longer available: Catastrophism and Ancient History 7 (1986).

I have reprinted an edited version because I hope to revisit the book and comment on some matters that I did not the first time around. Also despite some shortcoming by the publisher, i.e., a lack of references, this book has not received the attention that it deserves for the reasons that it deserves; namely, its broad introductory scope something that can only be appreciated in retrospect.

Professor Saggs' The Might that was Assyria (London: Sidgwick & Jackson, 1984, 340 pp., $29.95 U.S.) at long last fulfills the need for a readable English survey of ancient Assyrian history and society. The author's enthusiasm for the subject, as communicated in the preface, is also refreshing. Saggs notes that uniquely Assyrian accomplishments are glossed over in historical and cultural surveys that deal with Sumerians and Babylonians. While the Assyrians certainly clothed themselves in Sumerian and Babylonian tradition, they also wore vestments of their own design, a fact this book makes very clear. The author begins his survey with an outline of geography and climate. He compares and contrasts Assyrian with Sumerian geography, noting each area's overall unity, in spite of obvious diversity. However, what is not treated adequately are the reasons for the individual political development of Assyria and Sumer. Some scholars attribute this difference in development to merely geographical considerations, but this bears closer scrutiny. After noting that Assyria is a land comprising at least four main areas, Saggs emphasizes this point:

... Assyria is far from being one uniform geographical unit; significant differences.both
of terrain and of climate exist between one part and another. [page 3]

He does add, however, that an overall entity called Assyria is recognizable and quite distinct from Sumer. But what does remain is that geography alone does not explain Assyria's political unity. While I cannot pretend to solve this complex problem I do suspect that it involves a tapestry of factors. By focusing too exclusively on geography we may perhaps overlook other possible factors in Assyria's unique political pageant. Let us turn to the question of Assyria's history. Saggs outlines a relatively sound and basic interpretation; there are no serious problems and only one obvious factual error. On page 168 Saggs calls Adad apla iddina "an Aramean usurper." This is certainly not the case, as illuminated in a new chronicle of the Kassite and Isin II dynasties edited by C.B.F. Walker (Zikir Shumin, 398ff., especially commentary, 414, line 29). Previous interpretations have been based on a broken

text. This new text (perhaps not available to Saggs) proves that Adad apla iddina was not "an Aramean usurper" at all. Another minor error of omission may also be cited: when Saggs discusses the evidence of Old Akkadian influence and/or presence in Assyria, one should add "a macehead of Rimush of Akkad found at Assur" (see G. van Driel, The Cult of Assur, 3;also C. Preusser, "Die Wohnhauser in Assur." WVDOG, Vol. 64,1954, 6). These considerations aside, the most pronounced miscalculation in my judgment is a lack of adequate notes. Neither economic considerations nor wishing to unburden the reader of too much data are adequate justifications. (I have been informed this was a publisher's decision.) Because of this, one is not able to verify the statement "Assuruballit speaks of the King of Hanigalbat as though a direct predecessor of his of several generations before" (page 40). Does this refer to the Amarna correspondence of Assuruballit or something else? Why can't one simply state where this important fact comes from? More seriously, one is not able to confirm or deny the statement on page 50 that the "Hittite king no longer snubs his Assyrian counterpart as at the time of Assuruballit but addresses him as an equal." Where is this to be found? All in all, Saggs' book is an immensely readable and fascinating introduction to the wonderful world of the Assyrians. It has certainly rekindled my own interests in Assyrian geography, origins, history, and culture. It has also provided new impetus for my continued efforts to broaden my personal Assyriological horizons. I hope it has the same effect on others.