Editing Nineveh (section)

===Early Bronze Age===
By 3000&nbsp;BC, the [[Kish civilization]] had expanded into Nineveh. At this time, the main temple of Nineveh becomes known as Ishtar temple, re-dedicated to the Semite goddess [[Inanna|Ishtar]], in the form of Ishtar of Nineveh. Ishtar of Nineveh was conflated with [[Šauška]] from the Hurro-Urartian pantheon. This temple was called 'House of Exorcists' ([[Cuneiform]]: 𒂷𒈦𒈦 GA<sub>2</sub>.MAŠ.MAŠ; [[Sumerian language|Sumerian]]: e<sub>2</sub> mašmaš).<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Lambert |first1=W. |title=Ištar of Nineveh |journal=Iraq |date=2004 |volume=66 |issue=Papers of the 49th Rencontre Assyriologique Internationale |page=38 |doi=10.1017/S0021088900001595 |s2cid=163889444 }}</ref><ref>{{cite journal |last1=Gurney |first1=O.R. |title=Keilschrifttexte nach Kopien von T. G. Pinches. Aus dem Nachlass veröffentlicht und bearbeitet |journal=Archiv für Orientforschung |date=1936 |volume=11 |pages=358–359 |jstor=41634968 }}</ref> The context of the etymology surrounding the name is the Exorcist called a Mashmash in Sumerian, was a freelance magician who operated independent of the official priesthood, and was in part a medical professional via the act of expelling demons.

==== Ninevite 5 period ====
The regional influence of Nineveh became particularly pronounced during the archaeological period known as ''Ninevite 5'', or ''Ninevite V'' (3000/2900–2600/2500 BC). This period is defined primarily by the characteristic pottery that is found widely throughout Upper Mesopotamia.<ref name="A Dictionary of Archaeology">Ian Shaw, [https://books.google.com/books?id=zmvNogJO2ZgC&pg=PA427 ''A Dictionary of Archaeology'']. John Wiley & Sons, 2002 {{ISBN|0631235833}} p. 427</ref> Also, for the Upper Mesopotamian region, the ''Early Jezirah'' chronology has been developed by archaeologists. According to this regional chronology, 'Ninevite 5' is equivalent to the Early Jezirah I–II period.<ref>[http://www.tellarbid.uw.edu.pl/research Polish-Syrian Expedition to Tell Arbid] 2015</ref>

[[File:Polychrome painted jar, geometric designs and animals, the so-called "Scarlet Ware". From Iraq, Tell Abu Qasim (Arabic تل ابو قاسم), Hamrin Basin, Diyala Valley. 2800-2000 BCE. Iraq Museum.jpg|thumb|Polychrome painted jar, geometric designs and animals, the so-called "Scarlet Ware". From Tell Abu Qasim at Hamrin Basin, Iraq. 2800–2600 BCE. Iraq Museum]]
Ninevite 5 was preceded by the Late [[Uruk period]]. Ninevite 5 pottery is roughly contemporary to the [[Early Transcaucasian culture]] ware, and the [[Jemdet Nasr period]] ware.<ref name="A Dictionary of Archaeology"/> Iraqi ''Scarlet Ware'' culture also belongs to this period; this colourful painted pottery is somewhat similar to Jemdet Nasr ware. Scarlet Ware was first documented in the [[Diyala River]] basin in Iraq. Later, it was also found in the nearby [[Lake Hamrin|Hamrin Basin]], and in [[Luristan]]. It is also contemporary with the [[Proto-Elamite]] period in Susa.

Ninevite 5 can be subdivided into the Early Ninevite 5 (3000-2750 BC) characterized by painted pottery and Late Ninevite 5 (2750-2500 BC) with incised pottery. In southern Mesopotamia, the former is contemporary with ED I-II, while the latter mirrors ED II-IIIA.

<gallery caption="Styles related to Nineveh 5">
File:Painted Jar - Ninevite 5.jpg|Painted jar – Ninevite 5
File:Painted bowl - Uruk-Nineveh 5 transition.jpg|Painted bowl – Uruk-Nineveh 5 transition
File:Jamdat Nasr Period pottery - Oriental Institute Museum, University of Chicago - DSC06949.JPG|Jemdet Nasr ware
File:Vaso cerámico del periodo protoelamita - MARQ 01.jpg|Proto-Elamite ware 3100&nbsp;BC
File:Saxsı küp, Təpəyatağı.JPG|Pottery jar, Tepeyatagi, Khudat district, Kura-Araxtes culture
</gallery>

====Post-Ninevite 5 period====
A transitional period (c. 2500-2350 BC) that equals the Early Dynastic IIIB in the south.

====Akkadian period====
At this time, Nineveh was still an autonomous [[city-state]]. It was incorporated into the [[Akkadian Empire]]. The early city (and subsequent buildings) was constructed on a [[Fault (geology)|fault line]] and, consequently, suffered damage from a number of earthquakes. One such event destroyed the first temple of Ishtar, which was rebuilt in 2260&nbsp;BC by the [[Akkadian Empire|Akkadian]] king [[Manishtushu]] (c. 2270-2255 BC).