Share these 10 facts about Assyrians and then learn how to make a battering ram from popsicle sticks with your middle or high school teen for a fun activity that combines STEM concepts and history. Also, look at my page Ancient Mesopotamia Fun Facts For Kids Who Love History for more hands-on history ideas.
Too, you’ll love my Free Mesopotamia Lapbook For Kids Who Love Hands-On Learning.
The ancient Assyrians were known as one of the most powerful military civilizations of the ancient world. They built a mighty empire, engineered advanced weapons, and left behind incredible artwork that still teaches us about their culture today.
The battering ram changed warfare. Instead of waiting months for a city to starve, the Assyrians could break through gates and walls much faster. Their engineering made them one of the most feared armies of the ancient world.
If you’re studying the ancient Near East, learning about the Assyrians gives children a deeper understanding of how warfare, government, and innovation shaped history.
BOOKS FOR KIDS ABOUT ANCIENT MESOPOTAMIA
First, look at these books about Mesopotamia.
7 Books to Read About Ancient Mesopotamia
Mesopotamia is a region situated within the Tigris–Euphrates River system, in the northern part of the Fertile Crescent. Today, Mesopotamia occupies modern Iraq. In the broader sense, the historical region included present-day Iraq and parts of present-day Iran, Kuwait, Syria, and Turkey.
Gilgamesh, half-god and half-man, in his loneliness and isolation becomes a cruel tyrant over the citizens of Uruk. To impress them forever he orders a great wall to be built, driving his people to exhaustion and despair so that they cry to the Sun God for help.
5,000 years ago in ancient Mesopotamia during a terrible drought, Jomar and Zefa's father must send his children away to the city of Ur because he can no longer feed them. At fourteen, Jomar is old enough to apprentice with Sidah, a master goldsmith for the temple of the moongod, but there is no place for Zefa in Sidah's household. Zefa, a talented but untrained musician, is forced to play her music and sing for alms on the streets of Ur.
Describes the enormous accomplishments of the Sumerians and Babylonians of ancient Mesopotamia in every scientific area, a heritage which affects our own everyday lives
Explores Sumerian, Babylonian, and Assyrian cultures, discussing social structure, lifestyles, and the military in these societies.
Lugalbanda woke with a jolt. He opened his eyes and what did he see but the terrible Anzu bird beating its wings in its nest high above. . . . Did he quake? Did he quail? No. Lugalbanda the Brave sat and stared, and into his head came a brilliant idea.
Presents the history of ancient Mesopotamia, describing the different groups of people who lived there, and their government, cities, everyday life, religion, and writing.
Invites readers them to become the main character. Each book uses humorous illustrations to depict the sometimes dark and horrific side of life during important eras in history.
Next, look at more activities.
ANCIENT MESOPOTAMIA FUN FACTS
- How To Craft A Fun Headdress: Mesopotamia Art And Craft
- Easy Mesopotamian Art: Make Your Own Clay Relief Masterpiece
- Ancient Mesopotamia Games & How To Make The Royal Game Of Ur
- How to Create An Easy LEGO Mesopotamia Chariot
- How To Make A Craft Of The Golden Bull: A Mesopotamian Adventure & Review
- 10 Facts About Assyrians & How to Make a Battering Ram
- Discovering the Stars: The Astronomy of Mesopotamia and How to Make a Clay Star Pattern Tablet
- How to Make a Reed Sailboat: Ancient Mesopotamia Sailboat Facts
- The Food of Mesopotamia | How to Prepare Traditional Mersu
- Babylon Activities & How To Make The Gate Of Ishtar Craft
- How Mesopotamian Culture Shaped the World & Easy Gilgamesh Puppets
- A Journey Through Time: Easy Mesopotamian Pottery Craft With Kids
- Mesopotamian Himri Fun Facts and Fascinating Marine Life
Let’s explore ten fascinating facts about the Assyrians.
And then build a simple battering ram from popsicle sticks, inspired by their famous siege machines, for a hands-on activity that they will enjoy.
10 FACTS ABOUT ASSYRIANS
1.The Assyrian Empire rose to power around 900 BC and became one of the largest empires the world had seen at that time.
2.The impressive city of Nineveh became the empire’s capital. It was filled with massive walls, palaces, and carved stone reliefs.
3. The Assyrians were feared for their military tactics. They developed advanced siege techniques to conquer fortified cities.
4. One of their most famous weapons was the covered battering ram, a large wooden beam used to break down city gates and walls.
5. Kings like Ashurbanipal built grand palaces decorated with detailed carvings showing battles, lion hunts, and religious ceremonies.
6. Assyrian artists carved detailed stone panels that show us what their army, clothing, and weapons looked like.
7. Ashurbanipal collected thousands of clay tablets in what is known as the Library of Nineveh, preserving stories like the Epic of Gilgamesh.
8.The Assyrians used iron weapons when many other civilizations were still using bronze. Iron was stronger and more durable.
9. To control their vast empire, the Assyrians built road systems so messengers and armies could travel quickly.
10. In 612 BC, a coalition of enemies attacked Nineveh, bringing the Assyrian Empire to an end.
Finally, look at how to make a simple battering ram.
HOW TO MAKE A SIMPLE ASSYRIAN BATTERING RAM MODEL
You will need:
- 30-40 popsicle sticks
- Hot glue gun
- 1 wooden dowel or thick skewer
- String or twine
- Cardboard (for base support)
- 4 bottle caps, wood disks, cardboard circles
- Aluminum foil (optional for metal tip)
- Wood cutter
BASE
Lay 8 Popsicle sticks side by side horizontally.
Glue two sticks vertically across them, one near the top and one near the bottom, to hold them together.
Flip it over. This is your platform.
For extra strength, you can glue a piece of cardboard underneath. The Assyrians needed a strong base because real battering rams were heavy and had to support soldiers inside.
SIDEWALLS
Glue 4 sticks upright at each corner of the base.
Attach a stick to the front and back base of the pairs, sandwiching them in and holding them securely.
Glue x’s to either side to further support the structure.
Secure another popsicle stick across the top on each side over the x’s.
ROOF
Lay sticks across the top from one side to the other and glue into place.
You can make it flat or slightly angled.
For a more realistic look, overlap sticks slightly like shingles. Historically, Assyrian battering rams were covered with wood and animal hides soaked in water to protect soldiers from fire arrows.
RAM BEAM
Cut the dowel to the same or slightly longer than the platform. If you don’t have one of these cutters, I highly recommend they are very useful for popsicle stick crafts and more.
Put some hot glue on the end of the dowel rod and about ¼” down the sides. Wrap aluminum foil around one end of your dowel to create a metal-looking tip, and tear off excess once the glue cools.
Cut two equal pieces of string.
Tie one piece to each end of the dowel.
Glue or tie the strings to the inside top beam of your structure so the ram hangs and swings freely.
Test it. It should swing back and forth like a pendulum. That swinging motion is what allowed Assyrian soldiers to repeatedly strike a city gate.
WHEELS
Glue bottle caps or cardboard circles under each corner. I happened to have these wooden disks in my craft stash, so I used them.
Let dry completely before moving.
Many Assyrian siege engines were mounted on wheels so they could be pushed toward city walls.
Use watered-down brown paint to “age” your wood by brushing it all over the raw wood.
