(country of Asshur). That ancient empire on the Tigris whose capital was Nineveh (Gen. 2:14; 10:11-22). In its splendor it embraced Susiana, Chaldea, Babylon, Media, Armenia, Assyria proper, Mesopotamia, Syria, Phoenicia, Palestine, and Idumea. Assyrian kings frequently invaded Israel (2 Kings 15:19; 16:7-9; 15:29; 2 Chron. 28:20). Shalmaneser destroyed Samaria, B. C. 721, and carried the people captive. Assyria was overthrown by the Medes and Babylonians, 625 B. C., after an existence of 1200 years.