Defence Systems of Neo-Assyrian Military Camps (ušmannu, madāktu, karāšu)

Year 2023, Volume: 17 Issue: 2, 287 - 328, 25.12.2023

Tarık Günce

https://doi.org/10.46931/aran.1376908

Abstract

Neo-Assyrian military camps were tactically built in circular, rectangular, and square plans, considering factors such as practicality, the scope and duration of the campaign, the economic dimension of camp construction, the number, strength, and equipment of the enemy, and geography. In this study, Assyrian military camps, defense systems, plans, compatibility with geography, periodical changes, weaknesses, and the effect of the enemy on their equipment are examined in the context of defense architecture. The military camps, which were analyzed with reference to the depicted artworks, were evaluated in three groups circular, square, and rectangular in terms of their plans. The arguments regarding the actual plan type of Assyrian military camps are presented in all its dimensions. The most striking point of the study given in a wide perspective is the influence of artists on the rendering of different camp plans in depictive artworks including certain artistic shortcomings. The reasons underlying the artists' rendering of the camps, which should have been rendered in a circular plan, in an oval plan are given in detail. The advantages and disadvantages of military camps with different plans compared to each other are included. Since the locations of the camps cannot be determined and there is not enough information on the subject in the inscriptions, the depictions of military camps rendered by the artists are a noteworthy source of reference in this respect.

Keywords

Military Camps, Tower, Defence Wall, Neo-Assyrian Period

YENİ ASSUR DÖNEMİ ASKERÎ KAMPLARININ (UŠMANNU, MADĀKTU, KARĀŠU) SAVUNMA SİSTEMLERİ

Abstract

Yeni Assur Dönemi askerî kampları, pratiklik, seferin kapsamı, süresi, kamp inşasının ekonomik boyutu, düşmanın sayısı, gücü ve donanımı gibi faktörler ve de coğrafya göz önüne alınarak taktiksel bir şekilde dairesel, dikdörtgen ve kare planda inşa edilmiştir. Bu çalışmada Assur askerî kamplarının, savunma sistemleri, planları, coğrafya ile uyumu, dönemsel değişimleri, zayıflıkları ve donanımında düşmanın etkisi savunma mimarisi bağlamında incelenmiştir. Tasvirli sanat eserleri referansında irdelenen askerî kamplar, planları bakımından dairesel, kare ve dikdörtgen olarak üç grupta değerlendirilmiştir. Assur askerî kamplarının gerçek plan tipinin nasıl olması gerektiği konusuna ilişkin argümanlar bütün boyutlarıyla sunulmuştur. Çalışmanın en çarpıcı noktasını oluşturan farklı kamp planlarının tasvirli sanat eserlerinde işlenmesinde sanatçıların etkisi ve yetkinlikten uzak uygulamaları geniş bir perspektifte verilmiştir. Sanatçıların dairesel planda işlemesi gereken kampları, oval bir planda işlemesinin altında yatan sebeplere detaylıca yer verilmiştir. Farklı planlara sahip askerî kampların birbirine göre sağladığı avantaj ve dezavantajlara yer verilmiştir. Kampların yerlerinin saptanamaması ve yazıtlarda da konuyla ilgili yeterli bilgi bulunmaması nedeniyle sanatçıların işlediği askerî kamp tasvirleri, bu açıdan kayda değer birer başvuru kaynağıdır.

Keywords

Askerî Kamplar, Kule, Savunma Duvarı, Yeni Assur Dönemi

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