1. The Levant:
* Judea: This region, encompassing modern-day Israel and the West Bank, was where Aramaic became the common language after the Babylonian exile (6th century BC). It was used by Jesus and his followers.
* Samaria: The region between Judea and Galilee, also heavily Aramaic-speaking.
* Galilee: Home to a significant Aramaic-speaking population, including Jesus' followers.
* Phoenicia: Located along the Mediterranean coast, this region was influenced by Aramaic and likely had some Aramaic speakers.
* Syria: Aramaic was widely spoken throughout Syria, including the region of Damascus.
2. Mesopotamia:
* Assyria: The Assyrian Empire had a significant Aramaic-speaking population, and Aramaic was a major administrative language during their reign.
* Babylonia: Aramaic was widely spoken in Babylonia after the Assyrian period, and it became the language of administration and commerce.
3. Other regions:
* Persia (Iran): Aramaic was used as an administrative language in the Persian Empire, and there were significant Aramaic-speaking communities in Persia.
* Egypt: Aramaic had some influence in Egypt due to the Persian rule, but it was not as widespread as in the Levant or Mesopotamia.
It's important to remember that the boundaries of "Aramaic" were not fixed and varied over time. There were different dialects of Aramaic spoken, and the level of fluency and use could vary within communities.