an ancient kingdom of Aha, concerning the extent, commencement, and duration of which, historians differ greatly in their accounts. Several ancient writers, in particular Ctesias and Diodorus Siculus, have affirmed, that the Assyrian monarchy, under Ninus and Semiramis, comprehended the greater part of the known world. Had this been the case, it is not likely that Homer and Herodotus would have omitted a fact so remarkable. The sacred records intimate, that none of the ancient states or kingdoms were of considerable extent; for neither Chedorlaomer, nor any of the neighbouring princes, were tributary or subject to Assyria; and we find nothing of the greatness or power of this kingdom in the history of the judges and succeeding kings of Israel, though the latter kingdom was oppressed and enslaved by many different powers in that period. It is highly probable, therefore, that Assyria was originally of small extent. According to Ptolemy, it was bounded on the north by Armenia Major; on the west by the Tigris; on the south by Susiana; and on the east by Media.

It is probable, that the origin and revolutions of the Assyrian monarchy were as follows.—The founder of it was Ashur, the second son of Shem, who went out of Shinar, either by the appointment of Nimrod, or to elude the fury of a tyrant; conducted a large body of adventurers into Assyria; and laid the foundation of Nineveh (Gen. x. 11.). These events happened not long after Nimrod had established the Chaldean monarchy, and fixed his residence at Babylon. The Persian historians suppose that the kings of Persia of the first dynasty were the same with the kings of Assyria, of whom Zohah, or Nimrod, was the founder of Babel. (Herbelot Orient. Bibl. v. Bagdad). It does not, however, appear that Nimrod reigned in Assyria. The kingdoms of Babylon and Assyria were originally distinct and separate (Micah, v. 6.); and in this state they remained until Ninus conquered Babylon and made it tributary to the Assyrian empire. Ninus the successor of Assur (Gen. x. 11. Diod. Sic. lib. i.), seized on Chaldea, after the death of Nimrod, and united the kingdoms of Assyria and Babylon. This great prince is said to have subdued Asia, Persia, Media, Egypt, &c. If he did so, the effects of his conquests were of no duration; for in the days of Abraham, we do not find that any of the neighbouring kingdoms were subject to Assyria. He was succeeded by Semiramis; a princess of an heroic mind; bold, enterprising, fortunate; but of whom many fabulous things have been recorded. It appears, however, that there were two princesses of the same name, who flourished at very different periods. One of them was the consort of Ninus; and the other lived five generations before Nicocor queen of Nebuchadnezzar (Euseb. Chron. p. 58. Herod. lib. i. c. 184.). This fact has not been attended to by many writers.

Whether there was an uninterrupted series of kings from Ninus to Sardanapalus, or not, is still a question. Some suspicion has arisen, that the list which Ctesias has given of the Assyrian kings is not genuine; for many names in it are of Persian, Egyptian, and Grecian extraction.

Nothing memorable has been recorded concerning the successors of Ninus and Semiramis. Of that effeminate race of princes it is barely said, that they ascended the throne, lived in indolence, and died in their palace at Nineveh. Diodorus (lib. ii.) relates, that, in the reign of Teutames, the Assyrians, solicited by Priam their vassal, sent to the Trojans a supply of 20,000 foot and 200 chariots, under the command of Memnon, son of Tithonus president of Persia: But the truth of his relation is rendered doubtful by the accounts of other writers.

Sardanapalus was the last of the ancient Assyrian kings. Contemning his indolent and voluptuous course of life, Arbaces, governor of Media, withdrew his allegiance, and rose up in rebellion against him. He was encouraged in this revolt by the advice and assistance of Belafis, a Chaldean priest, who engaged the Babylonians to follow the example of the Medes. These powerful provinces, aided by the Persians and other allies, who despised the effeminacy, or dreaded the tyranny of their Assyrian lords, attacked the empire on all sides. Their most vigorous efforts were, in the beginning, unsuccessful. Firm and determined, however, in their opposition, they at length prevailed, defeated the Assyrian army, besieged Sardanapalus in his capital, which they demolished, and became masters of the empire, B. C. 821.

After the death of Sardanapalus, the Assyrian empire was divided into three kingdoms, viz. the Median, Assyrian, and Babylonian. Arbaces retained the supreme power and authority, and fixed his residence at Ecbatana in Media. He nominated governors in Assyria and Babylon, who were honoured with the title of kings, while they remained subject and tributary to the Median monarchs. Belafis received the government of Babylon as the reward of his services; and Phul was intrusted with that of Assyria. The Assyrian governor gradually enlarged the boundaries of his kingdom, and was succeeded by Tiglath-pileser, Salmanazar, and Sennacherib, who asserted and maintained their independency. After the death of Asar-haddon, the brother and successor of Sennacherib, the kingdom of Assyria was split, and annexed to the kingdoms of Media and Babylon. Several tributary princes afterwards reigned in Nineveh; but no particular account of them is found in the annals of ancient nations. We ASTH

Asthm hear no more of the kings of Assyria, but of those of Babylon. Cyaxares king of Media assisted Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon, in the siege of Nineveh, which they took and destroyed, B. C. 606. The Chaldean or Babylonish kingdom was transferred to the Medes, after the reign of Nabonadius, son of Evilmerodach, and grandson of Nebuchadnezzar. He is styled Belshazzar in the sacred records, and was conquered by Cyrus, B. C. 538.