Ancient Shamash Gate in Nineveh Reveals Two Battles 2,500 Years Apart
The Shamash Gate in ancient Nineveh has revealed rare evidence of two violent chapters separated by more than 2,500 years: the fall of the Assyrian capital in 612 B.C. and the battle to free Mosul from ISIS in 2017.
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"The Shamash Gate was one of 18 entrances into Nineveh. Ancient records link its construction to King Sennacherib, who ruled from 705 to 681 B.C. The gate connected the city to the east, along the road from Erbil to Nineveh.
Inside the city, the route led toward major royal and religious areas, including Nabi Yunis and the palace of Esarhaddon. This made the gate a key point in Nineveh’s movement, trade, and defense.
Researchers say the site now preserves evidence from two battles. The first was the fall of Nineveh in 612 B.C., when the city fell to invading forces. The second was the fight to liberate Mosul from ISIS in 2017."
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