Pastor Peter's Bible Insights
Ancient Cities
Ashur
Ashur is referred to in the Old Testament as a person and not a place. Ashur, the son of Shem (Genesis 10:22) is regarded as the founder of the nation of Assyria. Ashur was the capital of the Assyrain Empire, the name of the nation or people (Isaiah 10:5), and the name of the major god of the city and its territory. Ashur was built on the west bank of the Tigris River near the confluence of the lower Zab River. It was strategically located near the Hamrin Mountain pass and controlled the flow of trade between lower, middle and upper Mesopotamia and regions to the north, the site known today as Qalat Sharqat. Among the most interesting finds at this site is an Akkadian cuniform account of creation similar to the Babylonian Enuma Elish. The hero of the Akkadian account in the god Ashur. The account dates to approximately 1000 BC. Ashur fell in 620 when Nabopolassar began his push to Carchemish.
Babylon
The first imposing sight of Babylon was its triple wall fortifications that stretched for ten miles around the city. The inner and outer walls enclosed 2,100 acres. The inner city could house 200,000 inhabitants and the outer city about 400,000. During times of seige, crops could be grown in the outer city and watered from the central river. A bridge spanned the Euphrates River which divided the city into two halves. The city was approached by a 200 foot long paved road lined with 60 lions on each side molded in red, white and yellow glazed bricks. Sections can be seen at the Berlin Archaeology Museum. The primary entrance to the city was through the splendid Ishtar Gate. The Ishtar Gate , standing 70 feet tall, was covered with dark blue glazed bricks decorated with yellow and white bulls and dragons also made of glazed bricks. Running north to south, Procession Street crossed the eastern half of the city. Procession Street, built 75 feet wide by Nebuchadnezzar to honor Marduk, was paved with imported white limestone. Sidewalks of red breccia bordered Procession Street. Along this road stood the ziggurat, Esagila temple dedicated to Marduk, and the palace. Some think the ziggurat in Babylon is the famous tower of Babel. The main chapel of Esagila temple measured 66 by 132 feet and was covered in gold. Cuneiform texts indicate the presence of 400 altars and thousands of shrines in the city. Nebuchadnezzar's southern palace contained the throne room, most likely the same room where Belshazzar held his fatal feast and where Alexander the Great took his last mortal breath. The location of Nebuchadnezzar's world famous Hanging Gardens is uncertain.
Nineveh
The ancient ruins of Nineveh are located on the east side of the Tigris River about 60 miles north of Ashur where the Khoser River joins the Tigris. The city's founder was Nimrod (Genesis 10:11). A rectangular wall eight miles long enclosed 1,800 acres of the city. Jonah's claim to have walked three days (Jonah 3:3) well describes the extent of the city and its surrounding community. Nineveh was the symbol and pride of the Assyrians, who attempted to make it the most fortified city in the world. The city's double walls were 50 feet thick and 100 feet high. Fifteen beautifully decorated iron gates defended the city. Eighteen mountain streams flowed toward the city. The city reached its height during the reign of Sennacherib who built a new palace and many other buildings. Nineveh became the new Assyrian capital. Among the most valuable discoveries at the site were the remains of Asurbanipal's famous library of 100,000 cuneiform clay tablets. Tablets found include the Gilgamesh Epic, the Babylonian account of a flood. In a surprise move Cyaxares the Mede joined Nabopolassar and the Chaldeans in attacking Nineveh. After a two-year seige the city fell in 612 BC. Saracus committed suicide in the flames of his palace as Nineveh was laid to waste.
Haran
Ancestrial home of the patriarchs, Haran was a major city in upper Mesopotamia. Haran was established on the Balikh River, 60 miles upstream from its confluence with the Euphrates River. Trade passed from Ur to Haran and on to the Mediterranean. Haran developed into a major textile center specializing in blue garments with embroidered work, and high quality carpets (Ezekiel 27:24). Haran played an important role in the final days of the Assyrian Empire. When Nineveh fell in 612, the Assyrian capital was moved to Haran. In 610 the Chaldean advance came to Haran and destroyed the city. Haran is within the borders of modern Turkey. A sacred pool is dedicated to the memory of Abraham.
Carchemish
Located in Northern Syria, Carchemish was a pivotal point in ancient times. Situated west of the upper Euphrates River it guarded the most important crossing point for the trade that flowed between the east and the west. Traders leaving Mesopotamia crossed the Euphrates at Carchemish on their journeys south to Syria, Palestine and Egypt or West to the Hittites of Anatolia, the Mediterranean and Europe. There is a long list of Pharaohs and Kings who fought to control the city. Carchemish built a valuable trade in timber and grains from Syria’s Northern Plain and levied a toll on all the goods that passed through her gates. Built on a bend in the river the city was enclosed by a wall and divided into three parts. Remains of the fortress and palace have been located. In 607 BC Nebuchadnezzar laid siege to the city. For the next two years the Chaldeans resisted every effort of the Assyrians and their Egyptian allies to gain a foothold on Mesopotamian soil. In 605 BC the two armies collided in fierce battle. Carchemish fell, the Pharaoh Neco fled back Egypt and the Assyrian Empire perished. Following this fierce battle the city went into decline. Three centuries later during the Seleucid period the city was rebuilt and renamed Europos. In his early years as an archaeologist “Lawrence of Arabia” excavated at this site. Today Carchemish lies just inside the border of Syria; the ruins can be visited from Turkey by permit with a military escort.