As syria

Nineveh was founded from Babylon ab. 2200 В.С. by A hur, whose name is that of the first seat of government, 60 miles s. of Nineveh, where bricks have been found bearing the names of the earliest kings. Sardana pal us I., whose capital was Caleh (Nimroud). 40 m. further n., founded a magnificent palace, whose remains still exist, and took tribute from the Phœnician cities. His son Shalmanubar defeated Benhadad of Damascus, and afterward Hazael, and received tribute from Jehu, King of Israel. The next monarch, Iva-tush (probably Pul of II. Kings xv.), invaded Palestine, and received tribute from Menahem, King of Israel. The first dynasty, of 18 kings, 1273-747 B.C., ends with him. Tiglath-Pileser II. conquered Syria and carried many Jews captive. Shalmanezer, his succe or, attacked Israel, which had been instigated by Egypt to refuse tribute. The next king, Sargon, took Samaria. His son Sennacherib fixed the seat of government at Nineveh, employing 360,000 men to repair the palace, and built a second one, yet more splendid, a portion of which, covering ab. 8 acres, was excavated by Layard. He succe fully attacked Babylon, invaded Judea and Egypt, deported 200,000 Jews, and was a a inated by his two sons. The empire declined under Sardana pal us II. Nineveh was taken and destroyed by the Medes and Babylonians ab. 625 B.C. A. was subject succe ively to the Medes, Persians, Seleucidæ, the Part hi an kings (from 312 B.C.); belonged more than once to the Romans; was afterward under the califs; and was wrested from the Persians by the Turks 1638.