These men were called after a certain giant named Syrus, from whom the country took its name. And from the Assyrians the Syrians too were named. Alternatively from Asshur, the son of Shem, the son of Noah: this Asshur was the first to found a great city, the one which changed its name to Nineveh.[1] But others say the Persians were Assyrians.
Assyrians: the people [of that name]. While everything was calm, nothing stood in the way of them becoming the greatest. But subsequently many continuous wars occurred, and myriad insurrections of others against others, and wars were fought amongst themselves. These things [occured] in the time of Caesar.[2]