The eighth century B.C. was filled with bloodshed at the hands of the ruthless Assyrians, a land far to the east of Israel. Even though the Assyrians had a horrible time trying to hold their kingdom together, they yielded great ambition to dominate the world and there was unity in that sense. Their main goal was the acquisition of plunder and tribute. They would instill terror by chopping off limbs from bodies and piling them in front of city gates.
A quote from ancient Assyria reads:
"Their men, young and old, I took as prisoners. Of some I cut off the feet and hands; of others I cut off the noses, ears, and lips; of the young men's ears I made a heap; of the old men's heads I built a minaret."
