Kalhu or, Biblical, Kalah (Hebrew כלח): capital of ancient Assyria, modern Nimrud.
History
The ziggurat of Nimrud
This city, called Kalhu by the Assyrians and called Kalah (or Calah) in the Bible, was a capital of Assyria. Like so many ruins, it is often called "Nimrud", after the legendary king who is often associated with antiquities in the Near East.
Kalhu was founded by king Šalmaneser I (r.1263-1234)
King Aššurnasirpal II (r.883-859) chose Kalhu, until then a small town, as his residence. A labor force of no less than 47,000 people built the city, which was six times larger than the old capital, Aššur.
If the city - as king Aššurnasirpal claims in one of his inscriptions - counted 16,000 inhabitants, food must have been imported from upstream along the Tigris
Nimrud, Throne platform of Šalmaneser III, Relief of tribute bearers
745-727: Reign of Tiglath-Pileser III: great splendor
The town remained capital of Assyria until 706 BCE, when king Sargon II founded Dur-Šarukkin (Khorsabad), which would be replaced by Nineveh (Mosul).
In 401, the Greek mercenary Xenophon stayed in this town, which was now called Larissa. He mentions how the inhabitants had fled to the ziggurat.note[Xenophon, Anabasis 3.4.6-9.]
The Palace of Aššurnasirpal II
Nimrud, Northwest Palace of Aššurnasirpal II, Genie
Nimrud, Northwest Palace of Aššurnasirpal II, Facade
Nimrud, Northwest Palace of Aššurnasirpal II, Entrance to Main Court
Nimrud, Northwest Palace of Aššurnasirpal II, Genie
Nimrud, Northwest Palace of Aššurnasirpal II, Genie
Nimrud, Northwest Palace of Aššurnasirpal II, Lamassu
Nimrud, Northwest Palace of Aššurnasirpal II, Inscription
Nimrud, Northwest Palace of Aššurnasirpal II, Foundation Inscription
Some Remains
Nimrud, Ziggurat (demolished by terrorists in 2016)
Nimrud, Temple of Nabu
Nimrud, Temple of Ištar
Nimrud, Tomb
Some Museum Pieces
There are 24 items in Kalhu (Nimrud) - nimrudmps:
Nimrud, Northwest Palace of Aššurnasirpal II, Vulture
Nimrud, Northwest Palace of Aššurnasirpal II, Two lamassus
Nimrud, Northwest Palace of Aššurnasirpal II, Genie
Nimrud, Northwest Palace of Aššurnasirpal II, Two genies
