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__NOTOC__Among the major events that took place in the ancient Near East, none were more earth-shattering than the fall of the ancient Assyrian city of Nineveh. The demise of Nineveh was so important because it marked the end of the Assyrian Empire, which at its height stretched from Egypt in the west to Persia in the east and included most of Anatolia, the Levant, and the Arabian Peninsula. The Assyrians ruled their empire with an iron fist and in doing so were able to fleece their subject peoples of their precious minerals and resources, which they then used to build Nineveh and other cities in the Assyrian heartland. Eventually, the enemies of the Assyrians grew tired of the malevolent regime and so came together temporarily to cast off the Assyrian yoke. The great city of Nineveh was all but destroyed in the process.

The destruction of Nineveh left such a strong impression on the psyche of ancient Assyrians ruled their empire with an iron fist. In doing so, we're able to fleece their subject peoples that it was written about for several subsequent centuries in the Babylonian cuneiform annals, the writings of Greek their precious minerals and Roman historiansresources, which they then used to build Nineveh and even other cities in the Old Testament of the Bible. Nineveh’s fall was so important because for a time it was the greatest city in the ancient worldAssyrian heartland. The workmanship of the city’s temples and palaces was superb and Nineveh boasted of one of the world’s first botanic gardensEventually, which many scholars believe was the inspiration for the fabled “Hanging Gardens Assyrians' enemies grew tired of Babylon.” <ref> Dally, Stephanie. “Nineveh, Babylon and the Hanging Gardens: Cuneiform malevolent regime and Classical Sources Reconsidered.” <i>Iraq</i> 56 (1994), p. 182</ref> But the details concerning how the city fell are as important so came together temporarily to cast off the city’s history as its great monumentsAssyrian yoke. As The great as city of Nineveh once was, it fell victim to a combination of internal problems within the Assyrian royal house and the ever present and large number of enemies the Assyrians managed to create during their brutal reign of terror over the Near East. In the end, the Assyrians’ enemies saw Nineveh as a symbol of their overlords so they wiped it from the face of destroyed in the earthprocess.

===Early =What was the impact of the Fall of Nineveh?====[[File: Gardens_of_Nineveh.jpg|300px|thumbnail|right|Assyrian Relief Depicting the Gardens The destruction of Nineveh]]Nineveh left such a strong impression on ancient peoples' psyche that it was located written about for several subsequent centuries in the middle Babylonian cuneiform annals, the writings of ancient AssyriaGreek and Roman historians, which was centered on the Tigris River and even in northern Mesopotamia in what would today by the northern part Old Testament of the IraqBible. As part of the Fertile CrescentNineveh’s fall was so important because, much of Assyria had good soil that allowed for a surplus in crops and exceptional population growth. Nineveh, like many ancient citiestime, it was built on a mound for defense overlooking the Kosr River, which is greatest city in the ancient world as it served as a tributary source of inspiration and awe for Assyrians and non-Assyrians alike throughout the Tigris Riverregion. Although much The quality of Assyria was fertile crop land in ancient timesthe city’s temples and palaces were superb, and Nineveh boasted of one of the area around Nineveh world’s first botanic gardens, which many scholars believe was exceptionally productive, making it an excellent location the inspiration for a citythe fabled “Hanging Gardens of Babylon. ” <ref> MieroopDally, Stephanie. “Nineveh, Marc van deBabylon and the Hanging Gardens: Cuneiform and Classical Sources Reconsidered. ” <i>A History of the Ancient Near East: ca. 3000-323 BC.Iraq</i> 2nd ed. 56 (London: Blackwell, 20071994), p. 3</ref> For most of Assyrian history, the primary political capital was located in the city of Ashur, but Nineveh’s importance gradually grew until it eclipsed the older city.

Long before Nineveh became But the capital of details concerning how the Assyrian Empire in city fell are as important to the early first millennium BCcity’s history as its great monuments. As great as Nineveh once was, it was mentioned sporadically in various cuneiform historical texts. There were two notable mentions fell victim to a combination of internal problems within the city in Assyrian royal house and the late third millennium BC, ever-present and a large number of enemies the first being Assyrians managed to create during the their brutal reign of terror over the Akkadian King Manishutushu (ruled caNear East. 2269-2255 BC). It is believed that Manishutushu built a temple to In the Mesopotamian goddess of love and warend, Ishtar, at the Assyrians’ enemies saw Nineveh. <ref> Mieroop, p. 68</ref> Nineveh was also mentioned in as a text attributed to the Third Dynasty symbol of Ur kingtheir overlords, Shulgi (reigned ca. 2094-2047 BC), although so they wiped it from the reference is short and lacks detail. <ref> Beckman, Gary. “Ishtar face of Nineveh Reconsidered.” <i>Journal of Cuneiform Studies</i> 50 (1998), p. 1</ref> For over 2,000 years, Nineveh languished as a provincial backwater until the Assyrians invoked their will across the Near East and a particularly energetic king came to the throneearth.

When Sennacherib (ruled 704-681 BC) assumed ====What was the Assyrian throne he followed Empire?====[[File: Gardens_of_Nineveh.png|300px|thumbnail|right|Assyrian Relief Depicting the Gardens of Nineveh]]Nineveh was located in the footsteps middle of ancient Assyria, centered on the Tigris River in northern Mesopotamia in what would today be the northern part of Iraq. As part of the Fertile Crescent, much of his predecessors by leading his armies into battle Assyria had good soil that allowed a surplus in crops and conquering more land exceptional population growth. Like many ancient cities, Nineveh was built on a mound for defense overlooking the Assyrian peopleKosr River, which is a tributary of the Tigris River. But Sennacherib Although much of Assyria was not content to be remembered as just another conquering Assyrian kingfertile cropland in ancient times, he desired to leave much more for posterity so after his fifth military campaign he relocated the Assyrian capital from Ashur to area around Ninevehwas exceptionally productive, making it an excellent location for a city. <ref> Mieroop, Marc van de. <i>A History of the Ancient Near East: ca. 3000-323 BC.</i> 2nd ed. (London: Blackwell, 2007), p. 2293</ref> Although a settlement already existed at NinevehFor most of Assyrian history, Sennacherib transformed it from a minor religious center dedicated to Ishtar into the premier primary political capital was located in the city of Ashur. Still, Nineveh’s importance gradually grew until it eclipsed the ancient worldolder city.

On Long before Nineveh became the Assyrian Empire's capital in the early first millennium BC, it was mentioned sporadically in various cuneiform historical texts. There were two notable mentions of the citadel that overlooked city in the Kosr Riverlate third millennium BC, Sennacherib had a palace built – known by modern scholars as the southwest palace to differentiate it from first being during the northwest palace built by reign of the Assyrian Akkadian King Ashurbanipal Manishutushu (reigned 668ruled ca. 2269-627 2255 BC) – which he adorned with , who is believed to have built a temple to the many battle reliefs that are now housed in the British Museum in LondonMesopotamian goddess of love and war, Ishtar, at Nineveh. <ref> Mieroop, Englandp. Next 68</ref> Nineveh was also mentioned in a text attributed to a king from the palaces stood the temples Third Dynasty of the Assyrians two most important deitiesUr, Ishtar and NabuShulgi (reigned ca. 2094-2047 BC), although the god of writing reference is short and knowledgelacks detail. <ref> NovákBeckman, MirkoGary. “From Ashur to “Ishtar of Nineveh: The Assyrian Town-Planning ProgrammeReconsidered.” <i>IraqJournal of Cuneiform Studies</i> 66 50 (20041998), p. 1821</ref> The palaces For over 2,000 years, Nineveh languished as a provincial backwater until the Assyrians invoked their will across the Near East and temples of Nineveh must have been a truly impressive sight for any visitor particularly energetic king came to see, but perhaps the most spectacular sight were the gardens of Sennacheribthrone.

The gardens ====How did Nineveh become the capital of the Assyrian Empire?====When Sennacherib were depicted in both pictorial reliefs (ruled 704-681 BC) assumed the Assyrian throne, he followed his predecessors' footsteps by leading his armies into battle and a number of textsconquering more land for the Assyrian people. According But Sennacherib was not content to one text, the gardens were comprised of “every fruit-bearing tree . . be remembered as just another conquering Assyrian king. cypress and mulberry, all kinds of trees” that were home He desired to “the birds of heavenleave much more for posterity, <i>igiru</i> birds . . . wild swine and beasts of so he relocated the forestsAssyrian capital from Ashur Nineveh after his fifth military campaign.” <ref> Luckenbill, Daniel David, trans. and ed. <i>Ancient Records of Assyria and Babylonia.</i> (London: Histories and Mysteries of Man, 1989)Mieroop, p. 177-8229</ref> Sennacherib built Although a settlement already existed at Nineveh into what was perhaps the greatest city in the world at the time and his successor Ashurbanipal certainly added to that legacy, but Sennacherib transformed it from a spate of problems both within and outside minor religious center dedicated to Ishtar's premier city of the Assyrian heartland manifested to bring the great city to a sudden endancient world.

===Nineveh’s Quick Collapse===[[File: Delacroix_sardanapalus_1828.jpg|300px|thumbnail|left|1828 Painting “Death of Sardanapalus” By Eugen Delacroix Depicting On the citadel that overlooked the Fall of Nineveh]]The stable and effective reigns of Kosr River, Sennacherib and Ashurbanipal were followed had a palace built – known by a short period of instability that was brought forth modern scholars as the southwest palace to differentiate it from the northwest palace built by court intrigues. Ashurbanipal’s successor was the little documented Ashur-etelAssyrian King Ashurbanipal (reigned 668-ilani (ruled 627-623 BC)– which he adorned with the many battle reliefs that are now housed in the British Museum in London, whose short reign led England. Next to a succession crisis in the Assyrian royal house. Important members of palaces stood the nobility opposed Ashur-etel-ilani Assyrians' temples two most important deities, Ishtar and eventually usurped Nabu, the king in favor god of a royal eunuch named Sin-shum-lishir (the years of his reign are imprecise)writing and knowledge. <ref> KuhrtNovák, AmélieMirko. “From Ashur to Nineveh: The Assyrian Town-Planning Programme.” <i> The Ancient Near East: c. 3000-330 BC.Iraq</i> Volume 2. 66 (London: Routledge, 20102004), p. 541182</ref> The succession problems in the Assyrian royal house contributed to the decline of their empire palaces and that of their capital city temples of Ninevehmust have been an awe-inspiring sight for any visitor to see, but perhaps the final blow came from outside Assyriamost spectacular sight was the gardens of Sennacherib.

For centuries, the Assyrians The gardens of Sennacherib were able depicted in both pictorial reliefs and several texts. According to impose their will on the other peoples throughout the Near East through a combination of efficient brutality and superior battlefield tactics and technologiesone text, but by the seventh century BC their neighbors had caught up in most gardens were comprised of those categories“every fruit-bearing tree . . . In the ancient city of Babyloncypress and mulberry, a new dynasty all kinds of ethnic Chaldeans came to power, which is known by modern scholars as the “Neo-Babylonian” Dynasty, and just trees” that were home to the east “the birds of Assyria in Persiaheaven, the Kingdom of the Medes was adding pressure<i>igiru</i> birds . . The first Neo-Babylonian king, Nabopolassar (ruled 627-623 BC) was as aggressive as any Assyrian king and by all accounts just as politically savvy. According to the cuneiform historical text known as the “Babylonian Chronicle,” Nabopolassar mustered an army at Babylon in 616 BC wild swine and marched north to destroy beasts of the Assyrians and Nineveh. Ironically, the Assyrians were saved by their once rival the Egyptians, who led by their King Psamtek I (ruled 664-610 BC), were able to fight off the Neo-Babylonian attackforests. ” <ref> GraysonLuckenbill, A. KirkDaniel David, trans. And ed. <i> Assyrian Ancient Records of Assyria and Babylonian ChroniclesBabylonia.</i> (Winona Lake, IndianaLondon: EisenbraunsHistories and Mysteries of Man, 20001989), p. 91177-8</ref>Sennacherib built Nineveh into what was perhaps the greatest city in the world at the time and his successor Ashurbanipal certainly added to that legacy, but a spate of problems both within and outside of the Assyrian heartland manifested to bring the great city to a sudden end.

The Assyrian<dh-Egyptian victory at Nineveh in 616 BC would only be a temporary victory for King Sin-shar-ishkun (reigned ca. 627-612 BC) (referred to as “Sardanapalus” in the Greek and Roman histories), though, because the enemies of Assyria smelled blood in the water and were lining up to divide the spoils of the once mighty empire. In order to build an effective alliance, Nabopolassar next reached out to an assortment of Assyria’s enemies who were led by the Medes. The strategy for the final victory over the Assyrians and the destruction of Nineveh involved a classic pincer movement whereby the Neo-Babylonians attacked the city from the south and west while the Medes and their allies converged from the north and east. The victory for the allies was completes in 612 BC, as was the destruction of Nineveh as documented in the Babylonian Chronicle:ad/>

(Instead) the army ====Why did Nineveh Fall?====[[File: Delacroix_sardanapalus_1828.jpg|300px|thumbnail|left|1828 Painting “Death of Sardanapalus” By Eugene Delacroix Depicting the king Fall of Akkad, which had been stationed in the fortress, inflicted a major defeat upon Assyria. Nineveh]]The king stable and effective reigns of Assyria Sennacherib and his army [turned] and went homeAshurbanipal were followed by a short period of instability brought forth by court intrigues. In Ashurbanipal’s successor was the month Marchesvan the Medes went down little-documented Ashur-etel-ilani (ruled 627-623 BC), whose short reign led to Arraphu and [. . .] The twelfth year: a succession crisis in the month Ab the Medes, after they had marched against Nineveh [Assyrian royal house. . .] hastened and they captured Tarbisu, a city in the district Important members of Nineveh. . . From the month Sivan until nobility opposed Ashur-etel-ilani and eventually usurped the month Ab – for three [months . . .] they subjected the city to a heavy siege. [On the Nth day] king in favor of the month Ab [. . .] they inflicted a major [defeat upon a g]reat [people]. At that time royal eunuch named Sin-sharrashum-ishkun, king of Assyria, [died] . . . They carried off lishir (the vast booty years of the city and the temple (andhis reign are imprecise)[turned] the city into a ruin heap. <ref> GraysonKuhrt, pgsAmélie. 92<i> The Ancient Near East: c. 3000-94330 BC.</i> Volume 2. (London: Routledge, 2010), p. 541</ref>The succession problems in the Assyrian royal house contributed to the decline of their empire and that of their capital city of Nineveh, but the final blow came from outside Assyria.

The Assyrian-Egyptian victory at Nineveh in 616 BC would prove to be ephemeral for King Sin-shar-ishkun (reigned ca. 627-612 BC) (referred to as “Sardanapalus” in the Greek and Roman histories), though, because the enemies of Assyria smelled blood in the water and were lining up to divide the spoils of the once-mighty empire. To build an effective alliance, Nabopolassar reached out to an assortment of Assyria’s enemies, who the Medes led. The strategy for the final victory over the Assyrians and the destruction of Nineveh involved a classic pincer movement whereby the Neo-Babylonians attacked the city from the south and west. At the same time, the Medes and their allies converged from the north and east. The victory for the allies was completed in 612 BC, as was the destruction of Nineveh, which is documented in the Babylonian Chronicle: ====Who Destroyed Nineveh?====Instead, the army of the king of Akkad, which had been stationed in the fortress, inflicted a major defeat upon Assyria. The king of Assyria and his army [turned] and went home. In the month Marchesvan the Medes went down to Arraphu and [. . .] The twelfth year: in the month Ab the Medes, after they had marched against Nineveh [. . .] hastened and they captured Tarbisu, a city in the district of Nineveh. . . From the month Sivan until the month Ab – for three [months . . .] they subjected the city to a heavy siege. [On the Nth day] of the month Ab [. . .] they inflicted a major [defeat upon a g]reat [people]. At that time Sin-sharra-ishkun, king of Assyria, [died] . . . They carried off the city's vast booty, and the temple (and)[turned] the city into a ruin heap. <ref> Grayson, pgs. 92-94</ref> The classical authors offered a more dramatic version of Nineveh’s fall , where Sin-shar-ishkun burned himself alive with all of his material possessions. <ref> Diodorus. <i> The Library of History.</i> Translated by C.H. Oldfather. (Cambridge, Massachusetts: Harvard University Press, 2004), Book II, 27</ref> Nineveh’s destruction was also briefly mentioned in the Old Testament of the Bible in the book of Nahum where the prophet states, “Nineveh is of old like a pool of water; yet they shall flee away, Stand, stand, shall they cry; but none shall look back.” <ref> Nah. 2:6-10</ref> Once Nineveh fell, the Assyrian Empire limped on for another three years before it was finally relegated to the dust bin of history. ==Conclusion==Many cities have risen and fallen throughout the course of world history, but few have had such a dramatic history as the ancient Assyrian city of Nineveh. At its height, Nineveh was arguably the most cultured and sophisticated city in the ancient Near East, but a combination of factors led to its quick demise. Dynastic quarrels within the Assyrian royal house precipitated the city’s decline, allowing Assyria’s many enemies to ally and eventually siege and sack the once great capital city of Nineveh.