The ruins of Kalhu are located south of Mosul in Northern Iraq.

Why was Kalhu famous in antiquity?

Kalhu became the capital of the Assyrian Empire in the 9th century BCE under King Ashurnasirpal II who threw a grand inaugural party, the largest party recorded in ancient history. It was also a prosperous trade center.

When was Kalhu discovered and by whom?

Kalhu was discovered in 1845 by the archaeologist Austen Henry Layard.

Where are the the Kalhu Reliefs today?

The famous Kalhu Reliefs of Ashurnasirpal II are on display at the British Museum.

Kalhu Timeline

Definition

Kalhu (also known as Caleh, Calah, and Nimrud, in modern-day northern Iraq) was a city in ancient Mesopotamia that became the capital of the Assyrian Empire under Ashurnasirpal II (r. 884-859 BCE) who moved the central government there from the traditional capital of Ashur. The city existed as an important trade center from at least the 1st millennium BCE.

More about: Kalhu / Nimrud

Timeline

1274 BCE - 1245 BCE
Reign of Shalmaneser I who builds city of Kalhu at the site of pre-existing trade community.
884 BCE - 859 BCE
Reign of King Ashurnasirpal II who re-buiilds and restores Kalhu in 879 BCE.
879 BCE
Ashurnasirpal II holds 10-day festival inaugurating Kalhu as the new capital of Assyrian Empire.
879 BCE - 706 BCE
Kalhu is capital of Assyrian Empire.
745 BCE - 727 BCE
Reign of Tiglath Pileser III who renovates Kalhu and builds Central Palace.
722 BCE - 705 BCE
Reign of Sargon II who moves the capital from Kalhu to Dur-Sharrukin.
706 BCE
Capital is moved from Kalhu to Dur-Sharrukin by Sargon II.
706 BCE - 612 BCE
Kalhu serves as provincial capital and part-time royal residence.
612 BCE
Fall of the Assyrian Empire, Kalhu is destroyed by invading coalitions.