The Neo-Assyrian Empire is an empire in Mesopotamian history that begins in 934 BCE and ends in 605 BCE.
During this period, Assyria assumes a position as the most powerful nation on earth, successfully eclipsing Babylonia, Egypt, Urartu/Armenia and Elam for dominance of the Near East, Asia Minor, Caucasus, North Africa and east Mediterranean, though not until the reforms of Tiglath-Pileser III in the 8th century BCE does it become a vast empire.
Beginning with the campaigns of Adad-nirari II, it again becomes a great power, overthrowing the Twenty-fifth dynasty of Egypt and conquering Egypt, Babylonia, Elam, Urartu, Media, Persia, Mannea, Gutium, Phoenicia/Canaan, Aramea (Syria), Arabia, Israel, Judah, Palestine, Edom, Moab, Samarra, Cilicia, Cyprus, Chaldea, Nabatea, Commagene, Dilmun and the Hurrians, Shutu and Neo Hittites; driving the Nubians, Kushites and Ethiopians from Egypt; defeating the Cimmerians and Scythians; and exacting tribute from Phrygia, Magan and Punt among others.The Neo-Assyrian Empire succeeds the Middle Assyrian period (14th to 10th century BCE).
Some scholars, such as Richard Nelson Frye, regard the Neo-Assyrian Empire to be the first real empire in human history.
During this period, Aramaic is also made an official language of the empire, alongside the Akkadian language.
