Assyria City Ancient is a term that refers to three cities in ancient Assyria. Nineveh, with seven letters, was the capital of the Neo-Assyrian Empire and one of the most important cities in the ancient world. Arbela, with six letters, was an ancient city located in northern Iraq and was the site of several battles in antiquity. Lastly, Elam, with four letters, was an ancient civilization located in what is now southwestern Iran.