"The beginning of Nimrod's kingdom was Babel, Erech, Accad, and Calneh in the land of Shinar." Orchoe, 82 miles S., 43 E. of Babylon, now Warka; in the land of Shinar. Apparently the necropolis of the Assyrian kings, judging from the brick and coffins and mounds all round. Some bricks bear the monogram "the moon," corresponding to Hebrew yareach, from whence perhaps Erech is derived. The inhabitants were among those settled in Samaria by Asnapper (Ezra 4:9-10). (See BABYLON.)