The rise of Assyria is a good topic to think about, however there are only a few records since this period is too far away from us. Trade took a important part in the conuntry even in this period, though the agriculture is always the most important.
It's worth thinking how the trade and handicraft industry infulence China history, for it is not emphasised in the studies. Some westerners had looked into this field, but they were not going very far for the datas are mostly written in Chinese and not well translated. A good historian is able to see the things at the back of the historic event, like Mao. The detailed work on history like correcting the chronology is not for great historians. It's a pity that the great historians seldom write books on their thoughts, or what they have got from the history is not understood by the people --- severl simple words may mean many things and hide lots of subwords.
Let's get back to Assyria, I can barely understand how the Assyria conquered so many cities and land with such small population. It is likely that the whole Assyria empire is military-based, just like the Mongolian, Xiongnurian(?). In ancient time, agriculture meant almost all economy, as well as army size. I do not konw whether the Assyrians recruit soldiers from the other country (It seems that even they did, the number is limited and small) to support their successively wars, but it is obvious that the wars could not afforded by a Assyrian people. To the east direction, the Assyrians destroyed everything, and never controls the fields which would yield food. Is it because they do not have enough army to maintain the boundary or they just do not need so much food? It seems the Assyrians are quite cruel, and did some massacre, is this making the empire big but weak? And what drives the Assyria Kings to invade the countries nearby is another question. I need more information to explore this part, it is time for me to find some more detailed books.
Here comes one book:
http://fax.libs.uga.edu/DS71xJ39C/
