unlike the indo-european languages, the native semitic name for syria has always been distinct from assyria. during the akkadian empire (2335–2154 bc), neo-sumerian empire (2119–2004 bc) and old assyrian empire (1975–1750 bc) the region which is now syria was called "the land of the amurru" and "mitanni", referring to the amorites and the hurrians. beginning from the middle assyrian empire (1365–1020 bc), and also in the neo assyrian empire (935–605 bc) and the succeeding neo-babylonian empire (605–539 bc) and achaemenid empire (539–323 bc), syria was known as aramea and later eber nari. the term "syria" emerged only during the 9th century bc, and was only used by indo-anatolian and greek speakers, and solely in reference to "assyria".