#17 The Story of Assyria: Whose Assyria Is It? Contested National Stories

In Class 17 of The Story of Assyria, we examine the question “Whose Assyria Is It?” by exploring how Assyrian history has been constructed, contested, and appropriated by states, scholars, and institutions. The lecture analyzes Western academia, Middle Eastern nationalism, archaeology, museums, and colonial legacies, while emphasizing Assyrian continuity, indigeneity, and the responsibility of Assyrians to study and defend their own history. 0:00 Welcome and topic 0:39 Assyriology conference in Baghdad mention 2:43 Who tells Assyrian history today 4:33 Pierre modern borders and staying vocal 7:25 Assyrians’ duty to learn their history 10:49 Who produces our history teaser 11:21 Layard era digs Assyrians excavating lamassu 13:24 ISAC Oriental Institute Dur Sharrukin artifacts abroad 15:26 What is a national story definition 17:06 19th-century excavations biblical orientalist framing 19:58 Modern states nationalize Assyria Iraq Turkey Syria KRG 21:36 Continuity debate Suraya Athuraya Syriac framing 23:45 Assyriology specialization ignores modern Assyrians 26:27 Sykes Picot borders crossed Assyrians 30:21 Nationalism theory symbols myths and memory 34:05 Who creates narratives state elites grassroots outsiders 39:25 Arab nationalist reframing Sati al Husri Baath 45:07 Can Iraq claim Assyria and the limits 48:14 Arabization pressure and Assyrian Democratic Movement 54:16 Comparisons North Macedonia Egypt Turkey Tibet Iran 59:17 Recap national stories contested 1:03:07 Closing responsibility to learn protect heritage