Although King Ashurnasirpal II later moved the capital northward to Kalhu (modern-day Nimrud), Ashur retained its religious significance as the dwelling place of the national god and the burial site ...

The city of Kalkhu was a capital of the Assyrian Empire for over 150 years until King Sargon moved the capital to Dur-Sharukin ... one in Berlin and one in its original location in the city of Ashur.

Ashur incurs the undying enmity of ruthless generalissimo Sargon, gets killed and the orphaned knave is shipped off to a desolate training camp for six years by king Hammurabi's clemency.