Nineveh summary

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Below is the article summary. For the full article, see Nineveh.

Sennacherib in a relief from NinevehSennacherib leading a military campaign, detail of a relief from Nineveh, c. 690 bce; in the British Museum.

Nineveh , Oldest and most populous city of ancient Assyria, on the eastern bank of the Tigris River opposite modern Mosul, Iraq. Its greatest development was under Sennacherib and Ashurbanipal in the 7th century bce. It was captured and destroyed by Nabopolassar of Babylonia and his allies, the Scythians and Medes, in 612 bce. Excavations made in 1845–51 revealed palaces, a library, city walls, and many gates and buildings.

Assyria Summary

Assyria, kingdom of northern Mesopotamia that became the centre of one of the great empires of the ancient Middle East. It was located in what is now northern Iraq and southeastern Turkey. A brief treatment of Assyria follows. For full treatment, see Mesopotamia, history of: The Rise of Assyria.

Iraq Summary

Iraq, country of southwestern Asia. During ancient times, lands that now constitute Iraq were known as Mesopotamia (“Land Between the Rivers”), a region whose extensive alluvial plains gave rise to some of the world’s earliest civilizations, including those of Sumer, Akkad, Babylon, and Assyria.

Bas-relief depicting the founding Assyrian king of Nineveh, Sennacherib

Sennacherib Summary

Sennacherib was the king of Assyria (705/704–681 bce), son of Sargon II. He made Nineveh his capital, building a new palace, extending and beautifying the city, and erecting inner and outer city walls that still stand. Sennacherib figures prominently in the Old Testament. Sennacherib was the son