Assyrian man in traditional dress, northern Iraq,1930s.

Assyrian man in traditional dress, northern Iraq,1930s.

The Assyrian people, most commonly known as Assyrians and other later names, such as: Ashuriyun, Atorayeh and Syriacs, are a distinct ethnic group whose origins lie in ancient Mesopotamia. They are Semitic people, who speak and write distinct dialects of Eastern Aramaic exclusive to Mesopotamia and its immediate surrounds. Assyrians trace their ancestry back to the Sumero-Akkadian civilisation that emerged in Mesopotamia circa 4000-3500 BCE, and in particular to the northern region of the Akkadian lands, which would become known as Assyria by the 24th century BCE. The Assyrian nation existed as an independent state, and often a powerful empire, from the 24th century BCE until the end of the 7th century BCE. Assyria remained a Geo-political entity after its fall, and was ruled as an occupied province under the rule of various empires from the late 7th century BC until the mid 7th century CE when it was dissolved, and the Assyrian people have gradually become a minority in their homelands since that time. Today that ancient territory is part of several nations; the north of Iraq, part of southeast Turkey and northeast Syria. They are indigenous to, and have traditionally lived all over what is now Iraq, northeast Syria, northwest Iran, and southeastern Turkey. They are a Christian people, with most following various Eastern Rite Churches, although many are non-religious.

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