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

4.8
stars
768 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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176 - 200 of 308 Reviews for Organising an Empire: The Assyrian Way

By S. G C

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Sep 22, 2020

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

By Luís M G d S A

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Nov 23, 2022

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

By Kurt A

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Feb 18, 2021

Excellent lecturer and lectures. Content was interesting and engaging.

By Roger M

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Sep 13, 2018

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

By MILLER J P V

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Aug 13, 2023

me parece excelente curso. Porque no puedo descargar mi certificado?

By Katharine A

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Jun 13, 2022

Well organized, and well run course. Interesting and easy to follow.

By Juliana S

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Nov 17, 2023

Wonderful Course! Teachers with a lot of knowledge and fun videos.

By Robert A

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Dec 28, 2020

What an excellent course! It makes me want to go and find out more.

By T. W t

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Mar 16, 2021

An excellent course. Prof. Radner is an excellent lecturer.

Thanks.

By Nancy B

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Mar 18, 2021

interesting, well presented, lots of details. Dr. Radner is great

By David B

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Mar 17, 2022

An engaging and fascinating introduction to the Assyrian Empire.

By Philipp K

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Oct 14, 2021

Very insightful, easy to follow and such a likeable instructor!

By Fred I

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Jul 10, 2020

Excellent course. Well organized and well presented. Good pace -

By Cristina M

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Oct 5, 2021

Very good course !

Organized, methodic, captivating. Thank you !

By Palvinder G

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Sep 5, 2020

Excellent course, very interesting and fantastically delivered.

By Fyodor J

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Mar 26, 2024

Well organized and informative course. Content match syllabus

By Nicole K

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May 17, 2022

I loved it. The Professor was putting the fun into learning!

By Rosemary Q

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Mar 30, 2022

Interesting, informative, great mas and graphics. Loved it.

By Marion W

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Feb 19, 2020

Very in formative overview and well presented. Thank you.

By Jeffery Z

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Dec 20, 2018

Excellent course, well-designed, and easy to be understood.

By Christine B

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Apr 2, 2018

Excellent course taught with humour and passion. Thank you.

By Alan G

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Sep 21, 2020

Really enjoyable with mix of material and techniques used

By Stanley A

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Jun 7, 2020

Very informative and well-made course. Thank you so much!

By Linda S

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Dec 27, 2022

I found this course very informative and well presented.

By Maria E S

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Aug 2, 2021

This course changed my perspective about the Assyrians!