Definition

1. Proper noun:
   • An ancient Assyrian city: The first capital of the Assyrian Empire, located on the western bank of the Tigris River. It was a major political and religious center.
   • The chief god of the Assyrians: The supreme deity in the Assyrian pantheon, associated with war, empire, and kingship. He was later syncretized with the Babylonian god Anshar.

Usage Examples

• As a place name:
  • The archaeological site of Ashur is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
  • Excavations at Ashur have revealed many ancient temples and palaces.
• As a deity:
  • Ashur was often depicted as a winged sun disc.
  • The Assyrian kings believed their power was granted by the god Ashur.

Advanced Usage

• Historical/Archaeological Context: The term is used primarily in historical, archaeological, and religious studies to refer to the ancient city or its patron deity.
  • The cult of Ashur was central to Assyrian imperial ideology.

Variants and Related Words

• Assur: An alternative spelling for the ancient city.
• Ashurbanipal: The name of an Assyrian king, meaning "Ashur is the creator of an heir."
• Ashurnasirpal: Another Assyrian king's name, meaning "Ashur is the guardian of the heir."

Synonyms

• For the city: Assur (variant spelling).
• For the god: Anshar (Babylonian equivalent).

Related Phrases and Terms

• City of Ashur: A specific reference to the ancient urban settlement.
• God Ashur: A specific reference to the deity.
• Land of Ashur: A poetic or historical term for the Assyrian heartland or empire.

Noun

1. an ancient Assyrian city on the Tigris and traditional capital of Assyria; just to the south of the modern city of Mosul in Iraq
2. chief god of the Assyrians; god of military prowess and empire; identified with Babylonian Anshar