ARABS AND ARAB KINGDOMS IN ASSYRIAN SOURCES

Abstract

The Arabs took their place in the Assyrian written documents and in the reliefs adorning the walls of the palaces. The fact that the Arabs were the subject of Assyrian resources was related to their control of one of the important trade routes and having rich resources in terms of aramotics and camels. Assyrian kings tried to protect their interests in the Arabian Peninsula, sometimes through military expeditions and sometimes through political compromise. Although Assyria has gained superiority over Arabs through military expeditions, the geographical and climatic conditions of the region prevented Assyria from penetrating the region. Expeditions made by Assyria to the region could not go beyond extensive looting activities, as soon as the Assyrian army returned, the Arab tribes acted independently and took part in anti-Assyrian movements at the first opportunity they had. Assyrian sources contain important information about the political, economic and social life of Arabs, as well as their military and political relations between the Assyrian and Arab kingdoms. The Assyrian written documents are also the first written sources providing information about the history of Arabia.

Keywords

• The Neo-Assyrian Empire
• Arabs
• Desert Nomads
• Trade
• War
• Booty

ASUR KAYNAKLARINDA ARAPLAR VE ARAP KRALLIKLARI

Abstract

Araplar, Asur yazılı belgelerinde ve sarayların duvarlarını süsleyen rölyeflerde kendilerine yer edinmişlerdir. Arapların Asur kaynaklarına konu olması, onların önemli ticaret güzergâhlarından birisinin kontrolünü ellerinde tutmaları, aramotikler ve deve açısından zengin kaynaklara sahip olmalarıyla ilgiliydi. Asur kralları Arabistan Yarımadası’ndaki çıkarlarını bazen askeri seferler ile bazen ise siyasi uzlaşma yoluyla korumaya çalışmıştır. Asur, gerçekleştirdiği askeri seferler ile Araplar üzerinde üstünlük kurmuş olmasına rağmen, bölgenin sahip olduğu coğrafi ve iklim şartları Asur’un bölgeye nüfuz etmesine engel olmuştur. Asur’un bölgeye gerçekleştirdiği seferler geniş çaplı yağma faaliyetlerinden öteye geçememiş, Asur ordusu geri çekilir çekilmez Arap kabileleri bağımsız bir şekilde davranmışlar ve ilk fırsatta Asur karşıtı hareketlerin içerisinde yer almışlardır. Asur kaynakları, Asur ve Arap krallıkları arasındaki askeri ve siyasi ilişkilerinin yanında, Arapların siyasi ekonomik ve sosyal hayatları hakkındaki önemli bilgileri barındırmaktadır. Asur yazılı belgeleri Arabistan tarihi hakkında bilgi veren ilk yazılı kaynak olma özelliği de taşımaktadır.

Keywords

• Yeni Asur İmparatoluğu
• Araplar
• Çöl Göçebeler
• Ticaret
• Savaş
• Ganimet

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