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The Assyrian Empire was situated in northern Mesopotamia, in what is now modern Iraq. Assyria's rise to power began during second millennium BC, but reached its zenith between the 7th and 5th centuries BC, becoming a major power in the Near East until it was sacked in 612 BC by the Medes.

Assyria had two capitals during this time, first at Nimrud than at nearby Nineveh located on the banks of the Tigris. The two Assyrian kings most associated with the rise of these two great cities are Assurnasirpal II (883-859 BC) and Sennacherib (704-681 BC).

Assurnasirpal II founded Nimrud during his reign, making it the capital of Assyria. The city, covering 200 hectares, was enclosed by huge city walls, inside which could be found a ziggurat, two temples and a series of palaces. The largest and most important of these palaces is the Northwest Palace, a magnificent structure whose doorway was flanked by winged lions and bulls. Inside, the staterooms and corridors were lined with large stone panels whose carvings depicted the king's achievements in battles and military campaigns, as well as the royal hunt. Other panels represented magical winged spirits whose purpose was to protect the palace. These creatures also appeared as clay and bronze figurines. Many of the panels are artistic achievements of extraordinarily high quality, exquisitely carved on ivory plaques.

The site was first excavated by Austen Henry Layard in the 19th century, who took many of the carved panels and figurines to London, where they are now exhibited, along with relics from the palace at Nineveh, in the British Museum. Until recently, the remaining panels, figurines and sculptures were still located on site, but rampant looting has robbed Nimrud of many of its most valuable treasures. The same fate has befallen the palaces at Nineveh.

In 705 BC King Sennacherib established Nineveh as the new capital, and large-scale construction began, turning Nineveh into a breathtaking city of wide boulevards, picturesque squares and luscious gardens. The city reached a size of 700 hectares, surrounded by a wall 12 kilometres in circumference, with 15 gates named after Assyrian gods. A new palace was also built - the largest of its time - with 80 rooms and 27 separate entrances. As with the palace at Nimrud, walls and doorways were lined with sculptured reliefs, and rooms were furnished with sculptures and figurines, many of which have been removed: either safely to the Louvre or British Museum, or irresponsibly by looters, thereby destroying the integrity of the site.

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