Part 2/9:
The roots of the Assyrian people trace back to the Semitic tribes that inhabited the Arabian Peninsula, which was once a verdant savannah prior to climate changes transforming it into an arid expanse. As conditions deteriorated, migrations ensued towards more hospitable regions, including Mesopotamia. Here, the proto-Assyrians began to settle along the Tigris River—founding cities such as Nineveh and Asher—which would later evolve into pivotal centers of trade and governance.