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The '''Assyrians''' were an ancient people, possibly related to the Akkadians, who, at their greatest period of power - between the 9th and 7th centuries B.C. - controlled an empire that covered most of civilised south western Asia and Egypt. They are known for their military might, administrative efficiency, architecture and sculpture , and were feared for their brutality.

The '''Assyrians''' are a modern people living in northern [[Iraq]] and [[Syria]] as well as parts of [[Turkey]] and western [[Iran]]They  are the bona fide descendant of the ancient Assyrians,who between the 9th and 7th centuries B.C. - controlled an empire that covered most of civilised south western Asia and Egypt. They are known for their military might, administrative efficiency, architecture and sculpture , and were feared for their brutality.

They entered history as a [[Bronze Age]] trading people, based around their capital Assur, (south of what is now [[Mosul]] in northern [[Iraq]] and part of the hegemony of their southern cousins based in Babylon. Assyrian trading posts from this period have been found as far a-field a western Turkey. In the later Bronze Age they were at various times within the ambit of Mitanni and [[Hittite]] influence; and when the folk-migrations known as the movement of the [[Sea Peoples]] in the late 12th century overturned the Hittites and weakened Egypt, the Assyrians – using iron weapons - began to move into the vacuum. Ninevah and Nimrud became co-capitals, although Assur remained the religious centre.  

They entered history as a [[Bronze Age]] trading people, based around their capital Assur, (south of what is now [[Mosul]] in northern [[Iraq]] and part of the hegemony of their southern cousins based in Babylon. Assyrian trading posts from this period have been found as far a-field a western Turkey. In the later Bronze Age they were at various times within the ambit of Mitanni and [[Hittite]] influence; and when the folk-migrations known as the movement of the [[Sea Peoples]] in the late 12th century overturned the Hittites and weakened Egypt, the Assyrians – using iron weapons - began to move into the vacuum. Ninevah and Nimrud became co-capitals, although Assur remained the religious centre.  

*See also: [[Assyrian Empire]]

*See also: [[Assyrian Empire]]

==Modern Usage==

==Modern Times==

The Modern Assyrians began as a [[Nestorian]] [[Christian]] sect, closely related to [[Chaldeans]] and speaking a dialect of [[Aramaic]], found mainly in northern Iraq and Iran, whose members claimed to be ascended from the ancient Assyrians. They became involved in the political turbulence in the area in the 1920s and 1930s caused by [[Soviet Russia]]n expansion, and new nationalism in [[Turkey]], Iraq and Syria. This was to bring about a diaspora of Assyrians to many parts of the globe including U.S.A. and various parts of the British Commonwealth.

Assyrians today face persecution from [[ISIS]]. They became involved in the political turbulence in the area in the 1920s and 1930s caused by [[Soviet Russia]]n expansion, and new nationalism in [[Turkey]], Iraq and Syria. This was to bring about a diaspora of Assyrians to many parts of the globe including U.S.A. and various parts of the British Commonwealth.

==See Also==

==See Also==