ASSYRIA was a kingdom in Asia that derived its name from Ashur, the second son of the grandson of Noah, who, either in obedience to the command, or dreading the tyranny of Nimrod, migrated from the land of Shinar, and took possession of that region. Though it may be impossible to define exactly the limits of this country, yet we cannot be far from the truth if we make it of the same extent with the modern province of Cur distan. It was bounded on the west by the river Ti gris; on the north by Armenia, from mount Niphates to lake Van; on the east by Media and the mountains Choatras and Lagros ; and on the south by Susiana, now Chusistan, a province of Persia. The principal rivers of Assyria, besides the Tigris, which divided it from Babylon, are the Lycus, or little Lab ; the Caprus, or great Lab ; and the Gorgus, or golden river ; all which swell the Tigris with their tributary streams. The whole country is said to have been remarkably fertile in ancient times; nor ought its present barrenness to be objected, when we remember that it has so often endured all the ravages of war, and that the indolence and barbarism I its inhabitants allow it to remain a desolate wilderness.
The great antiquity which is given to this kingdom, extending beyond the period when letters were invented, and the fabulous spirit of its first annalists, have involved its history in darkness, which it is not possible, at this distance of time, to dissipate. In such circumstances, all that can be done is to pass over, as briefly as is con sistent with perspicuity, the early part of its history, which appears to be in a great measure without founda tion, and to narrate at greater length the events which took place in the latter period of its existence, which being supported, not only by profane authors, but by the historical books of scripture, must be acknowledged as true.
Amidst the variety of opinions which have been em braced, it is impossible to fix the precise period when the migration of Ashur took place. We cannot, how ever, be far from the truth, if we make that event co temporary with the dispersion of Babel, 2247 years be fore Christ, or at least, a few years afterwards. Short time, however, was Ashur permitted to enjoy his new possessions. The ambition of Nimrod, a man who, by exercising the skill and courage of his followers against the beasts of the field, trained them to tyrannise over their brethren, in all probability excited him to subju gate the colony of Ashur; and his prudence and valour, seconded by the arms of his daring veterans, enabled him to accomplish his design. The sacred historian informs us, that after he had founded his kingdom at Babylon, he conducted his forces from that land into Assyria, and built Nineveh,* to be the capital of that country. It is probable, however, that lie did not retain
the Assyrian sceptre in his own hand, but contenting himself with his Babylonian dominions, he delivered the kingdom into the hands of his son Ninus, in honour of whom the city was built, and from whose name it was called. Ninus seems to have inherited the ambition and martial talents of his father. Not satisfied with the kingdom which he had thus received, he is said to have entered into a confederacy with Ariacus, who then go verned Arabia, and, at the head of their united forces, overran the kingdom of Babylon; carried into captivity its conquered monarch, whom, with his children, he af terwards slew; invaded Armenia, whose king Barzanes, by immense presents and an inglorious submission, was allowed to retain the nominal sovereignty of his country ; directed his ambition against Pharnus, king of Media, whom, at the head of a mighty army, he conquered, and afterwards, with his wife and seven children, crucified ; and, having filled the vacant throne with one of his de pendents, extended his conquests over the other pro vinces of Asia, all which, except Bactria and India, he subdued during seventeen years of uninterrupted war fare. Returning home, he is said to have enlarged and adorned Nineveh with many magnificent buildings; but still indignant at the Bactrians, who had formerly re sisted his arms, at the head of 1,700,000 foot, 210,000 horse, and 10,600 armed chariots, he overran all the country, in which, however, he once suffered a severe defeat by the skill and valour of Oxyartes their king, and laid siege to Bactria, the capital of the kingdom. His power, perhaps, would have been unable to conquer the strong fortifications of the city, and the warlike vir tue of its garrison, had not his courage been excited by the beauty, and his power directed by the wisdom of Semiramis. This lady, of whose birth and education many fabulous stories are narrated, was born at Asca lon, and being married to Mcnon, one of the king's offi cers, she accompanied her husband in this expedition, and her martial genius overcame the diffidence of her own sex and the contempt of ours. By her direction the siege was conducted, the citadel was stormed, and the Bactrians conquered. The heart and the hand of the king were the reward of her conduct, after "%Tenon, stung with jealousy, and dreading the power of his rival, had fallen by his own band. Returning to his capital, Ninus had a son by Semiramis, called Ninyas, whom, at his death, which happened soon after, he left to the guardianship of his mother.