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Assur

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description Assur Overview

Assur, located on the western bank of the Tigris River in northern Iraq, served as the original capital of the Assyrian state and remained a religious and cultural center throughout Assyrian history. The city was continuously occupied from around 2600 BCE and contains the remains of temples dedicated to the national deity Ashur, royal palaces, and ziggurats. UNESCO inscribed Assur as a World Heritage Site in 2003, noting its significance as a center of long-distance trade and political power.

help Assur FAQ

Why was Assur important to Assyria?

Assur was the original capital of the Assyrian state and remained its main religious center after the political capital moved elsewhere. It stood on the western bank of the Tigris in northern Iraq.

How old is the city of Assur?

Assur was continuously occupied from around 2600 BCE. Its archaeological remains include temples, palaces, defensive walls, and royal tombs from many periods of Assyrian history.

Which god was worshipped at Assur?

The city was dedicated to the god Aššur, who became the chief deity of the Assyrian state. The city's religious importance continued even when rulers governed from later capitals such as Nimrud and Nineveh.

Is Assur the same place as Nineveh?

No. Assur was the early religious and political center of Assyria, while Nineveh became the empire's last great capital. They are separate archaeological sites in modern Iraq.

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