LARISSA
LARISSA (
Λάρισσα, Xen.
Anab. 3.4.7), a town of Assyria, at no great distance from the left bank of the Tigris, observed by Xenophon on the
[p. 2.128]retreat of the Ten Thousand Greeks.
It appears to have been situated a little to the north of the junction of the Lycus (
Záb) and the Tigris. Xenophon describes it as a deserted city, formerly built by the Medes, with a wall 25 feet broad, and 100 high, and extending in circumference two parasangs.
The wall itself was constructed of bricks, but had a foundation of stone, 20 feet in height (probably a casing in stone over the lower portion of the bricks).
He adds, that when the Persians conquered the Medes, they were not at first able to take this city, but at last captured it. during a dense fog. Adjoining the town was a pyramid of stone, one plethron broad, and two plethra in height.
It has been conjectured that this was the site of the city of Resen, mentioned in Genesis (10.12); and there can be little doubt, that these ruins represent those of
Nimrúd, now so well known by the excavations which Mr. Layard has conducted.
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