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Which ancient Assyrian capitals stood near the Tigris River?

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Map showing the Tigris and Euphrates river basin and its drainage network across Turkey, Syria, and Iraq, with color shading for elevation, major dams, canals, lakes, and boundaries with neighboring countries. The green areas indicate lower elevations along the river valleys, while higher elevations are shaded in brown and orange. A small locator map in the corner shows the basin's position within the Middle East. — Tigris-Euphrates river system The Tigris and Euphrates river basin and its drainage network.

Several ancient capitals of the Assyrian empire were situated along the banks of the Tigris River, which served as the heart of the region. These prominent cities include:1

Ashur: The ancient religious capital of Assyria, located on the west bank of the Tigris. It remained a central site for the worship of the god Ashur throughout the empire's history.23
Nineveh: Situated on the east bank of the Tigris, Nineveh was the oldest and most populous city of the empire. It served as a major capital and was strategically positioned at the intersection of important trade routes.43
Kalakh (also known as Nimrud): Rebuilt by Ashurnasirpal II, this city became a major capital and cultural center of the empire.3

These cities were vital to the political and cultural life of ancient Assyria, benefiting from their proximity to the river for trade, agriculture, and defense.243