Tag Archives: Kurdistan

First Conference on Ancient Arbela: ‘Pre-Islamic History of Erbil’ in Erbil, Iraq, 7–10 April, 2014

by Martti Nissinen

Erbil is the capital of the autonomous region of Iraqi Kurdistan. In the sources of antiquity, it is known as Arbela or Arbail, and it was one of the principal cities of Assyria in the Neo-Assyrian period. What remains of the ancient city is now buried inside the huge citadel in the heart of the city, under the Citadel Town, dating from the 18th-20th centuries CE and currently being renovated to be a UNESCO world heritage site.  Continue reading First Conference on Ancient Arbela: ‘Pre-Islamic History of Erbil’ in Erbil, Iraq, 7–10 April, 2014