Definition

Proper noun 1. An ancient city: Ashur (also spelled Assur) was an ancient city located on the western bank of the Tigris River. It was the original capital and the primary religious center of the Assyrian Empire. 2. A historical and archaeological site: The ruins of Ashur are a UNESCO World Heritage Site, located in modern-day Iraq, south of the city of Mosul.

Usage Examples

• Proper noun:
  • The archaeological site of Ashur provides crucial insights into Assyrian culture.
  • Ashur was dedicated to the god of the same name.
  • The city of Ashur was a major center of trade and worship.

Advanced Usage

• "The Ashur excavation": Refers to the archaeological work conducted at the ancient site.
  • The Ashur excavation uncovered many important artifacts.
• "The fall of Ashur": Refers to the historical event when the city was destroyed.
  • The fall of Ashur marked a significant point in the empire's decline.

Variants and Related Words

• Assyria (Proper noun): The ancient empire for which Ashur was the capital.
• Assyrian (Adjective/Noun): Pertaining to Assyria or its people.
• Ashurbanipal (Proper noun): A famous Assyrian king.
• Assur (Proper noun): An alternative spelling for Ashur.

Synonyms

• Assur (The alternative spelling is the primary synonym in historical texts.)
• Qal'at Sherqat (The modern Arabic name for the archaeological site.)

Notes

• Capitalization: Always capitalized as it is a proper noun (the name of a specific place).
• Context: The word is used almost exclusively in historical, archaeological, and religious contexts. It is not used in everyday modern conversation.

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