Audio tour 5b Assyria (room 230)

The Bible first mentions Assyria in Genesis 2:14 where Moses speaks of the Hiddequel (the Tiʹgris) which in his day flowed east from Assyria.

The land took its name from Ashur, son of Shem (Genesis 10:22). Nimrod, grandson of Ham, built Nineveh and Kalah. On the site of the latter is today the city of Nimroud, which recalls the name of its ancient founder. - Genesis 10:11

The Assyrians were a violent, warlike people renowned for their barbarity.