Ancient Syria was located north of Babylon in the valley between the Euphrates and Tigris Rivers. Over the centuries, various nations took turns ruling this area, among which the most important were the Sumerians and Babylonians. At the beginning of the 13th century BC, the Assyrians began to influence world history. The Assyrians were renowned for their organisational skills and military tactics. A number of capable Assyrian kings eventually formed an army strong enough to take over Mesopotamia. Around 900 BC, the Assyrians began to direct their attention to the south and west so that their power and influence could be felt in Syria and Israel.

Source: Alkitab Study Edition

Bible Study Edition