The Aramean Empire was a collection of ancient states and tribes that emerged in the Near East around the 11th century BCE. The Arameans primarily inhabited regions in modern-day Syria and Iraq, and their language, Aramaic, became widely spoken across the region. They were known for their nomadic lifestyle, trade, and interactions with neighboring civilizations, including the Assyrians and Babylonians. Over time, the Arameans established several city-states, such as Damascus and Hamath, which became important cultural and economic centers. The empire's influence peaked during the 9th and 8th centuries BCE, but it gradually declined due to conquests by the Assyrian Empire and other powers, leading to the assimilation of Aramean culture into these larger empires.