What did The Assyrian Empire rely on for their economy?

Like all ancient economies, agriculture was the largest sector of the Assyrian economy. Without the productive agriculture of Mesopotamia they would have had a hard time sustaining their armies or producing wealth. The Assyrians also excelled at iron making, part of the reason their military was so feared. They did engage in trade, particularly with their southern neighbor, Babylon, which also increased wealth, but agriculture was the most important element of Assyrian prosperity. Grains, barley and wheat in particular, were the most important agricultural items.