Assyria

an ancient empire of Asia. The region known historically as Assyria lies on the Tigris River, above Chaldea or Babylonia. Nineveh is the historical capital. The original Assyrians are believed to have been related to the present Finns and Turks, but they were overpowered and assimilated by the Semites. The later historical Assyrians were large, hook-nosed, black haired people of Jewish aspect and relationship. In the arts and sciences they were pupils of the Babylonians. Nineveh was an imitation of Babylon. About 1300 B. C. Assyria became a rival of Babylonia. In 745 B. C. the Assyrian Empire took form, and rapidly became the leading power of the world. Babylon was overthrown. Egypt was made a tributary province and the Ten Tribes of Israel were carried into captivity. New roads were built and old roads were diverted to center at Nineveh. Soldiers and military posts protected traffic in every direction. The caravan trade of the world was centered at the Assyrian capital. In 606 B. C. the Medes, a new power, arose. The Assyrian Empire and proud Nineveh disappeared. The leading Assyrian monarchs were Tiglath-Pileser, Sargon, and Sennacherib. See Nineveh; Babylon; Cuneiform Writing; Scriptures