How Assyria Gained Independence

The Assyrians lived in the northern area of Mesopotamia, the land between the Tigris and Euphrates Rivers at the city-state of Ashur. The Assyrians tried to create their own empire, but they were squashed by the Babylonian king of law code fame -- Hammurabi. Then another group of Asians invaded, but they were soon overcome by Hittites. The Hittites gave up control of Ashur because it was too far away. Thus the Assyrians their long sought independence (c. 1400 B.C.).

Read more about Ancient Assyria.