| Assyria (Akkadian Aššur; Old Persian Athurâ): ancient
kingdom in the north of modern Iraq, (in)famous for its aggressive policy
towards Babylonia, Syria, and the Jewish kingdoms. Its capitals Aššur and
Nineveh were destroyed by the Babylonians and Medes in 614 and 612 BC,
after which the Assyrian territories became part op the Babylonian empire.
When the Persian king Cyrus captured Babylon,
Assyria became a Persian satrapy. |
