Ancient religious capital of Assyria .
It is located on the Tigris River , 60 mi (97 km) south of Mosul , Iraq. The name Ashur was applied to the city, to Assyria itself, and to Assyria's principal god. The capital's site was originally occupied 0441; 2500 BC and later became part of Akkad . By the late 12th century BC it was under Assyrian control. Its religious sanctity ensured its continuous upkeep until 614 BC, when it was destroyed by Babylonia . The archaeological site has yielded fortifications, temples, and palaces.