Assyria

An old and powerful empire northeast of Israel. This nation was an enemy of the Israelites for many years, and finally in 722 BC, it overran the northern kingdom (Israel) and took many of its people into captivity. The most important cities of the Assyrian Empire were Nineveh, Assur, and Calah. The Assyrians worshipped idols and had temples to their gods in many cities. The king of Assyria was also his country’s religious leader and commander of its huge army.

Many of the kings of Israel and Judah paid tribute (money, gifts) to the kings of Assyria to keep them from attacking their country. After Sennacherib, a king during the time of Hezekiah, was killed, the Assyrian Empire grew weaker and was conquered by Babylonia. It was never again a great power. The Assyrians who moved into Israel during Israel’s exile eventually married Israelites and became the Samaritans mentioned in the New Testament.