Calah

Calah was one of the ancient capital cities of Assyria. Genesis describes it as a city built by Nimrod (Genesis 10:11–12).

Calah is the ancient name of modern Nimrud. It lies on the east bank of the Tigris River, about 38.6 kilometers (24 miles) south of Nineveh. Henry Layard excavated the site from 1845 to 1849. The British School of Archaeology in Iraq carried out further excavations from 1949 to 1964. People lived at the site from prehistoric times through the Hellenistic period.

Excavations at Calah uncovered a large ziggurat, a stepped temple tower, and temples dedicated to the gods Ninurta and Nabu.

Archaeologists also found a large fortress built by Shalmaneser I in the thirteenth century BC and a palace built by Ashurnasirpal II, who ruled from 883 to 859 BC. Parts of palaces built by Shalmaneser III and Esarhaddon were also uncovered.

One of the most important discoveries was the Black Obelisk of Shalmaneser III, now in the British Museum. It is important for biblical studies because it records that King Jehu of Israel paid tribute to Assyria.

Tiglath-pileser III, who ruled from 745 to 727 BC, and Sargon II, who ruled from 721 to 705 BC, launched military campaigns against Israel and Judah from Calah.

Sargon captured Samaria. Tiglath-pileser became involved in Judah’s affairs when King Ahaz sought his help against Israel and Syria (Isaiah 7:1–17). The Babylonians and Medes destroyed Calah in 612 BC.

See also Nimrod.