Fact: Population of Nineveh

The population of Nineveh after the time of Sennacherib’s reign (704–681 B.C.) was close to 300,000, over twice as many people as in Jonah’s time. This huge population increase was due primarily to Sennacherib making Nineveh the capital of the Assyrian Empire. He created new streets and open spaces for trade and built his famous “palace without rival.” These attractions would have drawn thousands of people to live in Nineveh.