Falconry is a sport that involves the use of trained birds of prey to hunt small game. Although this practice has been popular in many cultures throughout history, few can match the level of skill and expertise that the Assyrians possessed.
The Assyrians were known for their exceptional falconry skills, and many of their nobles participated in this pastime. This article will delve into the history of falconry in Assyria, the types of birds used, and the techniques employed.
Falconry in Assyria has a long history dating back to the first millennium BCE. The practice was particularly popular among the Assyrian nobility who often used it as a symbol of their wealth and status. Assyrian kings, such as Ashurbanipal and Tiglath-Pileser III, were known for their love of falconry and were often depicted in reliefs and carvings with their birds of prey. These reliefs and carvings provide us with valuable insights into the techniques used in Assyrian falconry.
The Assyrians primarily used two types of birds of prey in their hunting expeditions: the peregrine falcon and the gyrfalcon. The peregrine falcon was a common bird in the region and was known for its exceptional speed and agility. The gyrfalcon, on the other hand, was a rare and highly prized bird that was often imported from the north. These birds were trained from a young age to hunt small game such as rabbits, hares, and birds.
The process of training a falcon in Assyria was a long and arduous one. The first step was to capture a young bird from the wild. The bird was then kept in captivity and trained to trust its handler. This process involved feeding the bird by hand and gradually introducing it to a leather hood that would be used to cover its eyes during the hunt. The next step was to train the bird to fly to the handler's glove on command. This was done by attaching a small piece of meat to the glove and gradually increasing the distance between the bird and the handler.
Once the bird had learned to fly to the glove on command, it was time to introduce it to live prey. This was done by attaching a small piece of meat to a lure and swinging it around in front of the bird. The bird would then be released to chase the lure, simulating a hunt. Over time, the lure would be replaced with live prey, and the bird would be trained to hunt on its own.
Assyrian falconers used a variety of techniques to ensure a successful hunt. One such technique was to release the bird from a high vantage point, such as a cliff or a tower. This allowed the bird to spot its prey from a distance and build up the speed and momentum needed to capture it. Another technique was to use a second bird to flush out the prey. This was particularly effective when hunting birds, as the second bird would fly into a flock and scatter them, making it easier for the hunting bird to single out its prey.
In conclusion, falconry was a popular pastime among Assyrian nobles, and they were known for their exceptional skills in this art. The use of trained birds of prey in hunting expeditions provided the Assyrians with not only a source of food but also a symbol of their wealth and status.
The techniques employed in Assyrian falconry were both complex and effective, and many of these techniques are still used in modern-day falconry. The reliefs and carvings depicting falconers with their birds provide us with valuable insights into the history and techniques of this ancient art form.
Additional Reading:
McWhirter, Norris. "The Sport of Kings: A History of Falconry." Globe Pequot, 2004.
Barnett, Richard. "Ancient Assyrian Hunting Scenes and Falconry." Iraq, vol. 33, no. 2, 1971, pp. 163-169.
Gurney, O. R. "The Assyrian Winged Bull." The Metropolitan Museum of Art Bulletin, vol. 25, no. 3, 1966, pp. 127-136.
Cocker, Mark. "Birds and People." Random House, 2013.
Featherstone, Brian. "The Complete Book of Falconry." Lyons Press, 2015.