Abstract

Throughout history, human beings have faced various natural disasters in every geography. Disasters can happen as a result of human negligence as well as natural origin. Disasters, occurring unexpected and sudden and when precaution is not taken, causing loss of life and property, have been very saddening for societies. In this study, we tried to reveal the natural disasters in the Assyrian State and the disaster perception in the Assyrian people. From the documents we have examined, we have reached information about earthquakes, floods, drought, famine, epidemics, pest infestation and fires. It is understood that there were earthquakes of different intensity throughout Assyrian history. There have been times when there were floods or dry periods according to the seasons. In cases of drought, insect infestation and population growth, scarcity has emerged. According to the available information, the biggest disaster that has happened to Assyrian army is epidemic diseases. Fires have also occurred as a result of human negligence in the Assyrian State. Assyrians considered the disasters as god's warning and thought that the gods created the natural disasters. Because the religious aspect of the events outweighed, instead of taking measures with scientific techniques, they turned to religious ritulas against evil. For this reason, kings organized rituals in order to eliminate evil signs. In addition, the Assyrians, who believed that the gods made decisions about themselves, resorted to celestial prophecies to learn the messages to be given to the people. The prophecies they perceived as negative in the sky interpreted them as signs of bad events on earth and took measures according to prophecies.