Library of Ashurbanipal

Definition

The Library of Ashurbanipal was a vast collection of texts gathered during the reign of the Assyrian king Ashurbanipal in the 7th century BCE, located in Nineveh. This library is significant for its extensive range of cuneiform tablets that encompass literature, history, science, and religion, making it a crucial resource for understanding ancient Mesopotamian culture and knowledge.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The Library of Ashurbanipal contained around 30,000 cuneiform tablets, making it one of the largest collections from the ancient world.
2. It included texts on a variety of subjects, such as astronomy, medicine, and divination, showcasing the advanced knowledge of the Assyrians.
3. Many of the tablets found in the library were copies of older texts from Babylonian and Sumerian cultures, highlighting the importance of preserving earlier knowledge.
4. The library played a critical role in the development of archaeology as it provided insight into the political and cultural life of ancient Mesopotamia.
5. The discovery of the library in the mid-19th century by British archaeologist Austin Henry Layard helped spark interest in Mesopotamian studies and significantly contributed to our understanding of ancient civilizations.

Review Questions

• How did the Library of Ashurbanipal contribute to our understanding of ancient Mesopotamian culture?
  • The Library of Ashurbanipal is pivotal for understanding ancient Mesopotamian culture as it houses thousands of cuneiform tablets covering a wide range of topics including literature, history, science, and religion. This collection reveals insights into societal norms, religious beliefs, and administrative practices of the Assyrians. Moreover, it showcases their efforts to preserve and build upon earlier knowledge from Babylonian and Sumerian texts.
• Discuss the significance of the Library of Ashurbanipal in relation to the development of archaeology as a discipline.
  • The Library of Ashurbanipal marked a significant milestone in archaeology as its discovery unveiled a wealth of information about ancient civilizations. It provided tangible evidence of writing systems and literary traditions from Mesopotamia, helping scholars to decode cuneiform and understand its implications. The library's extensive records prompted further archaeological investigations in the region, laying groundwork for modern archaeological methods and approaches.
• Evaluate the impact that the Library of Ashurbanipal had on subsequent scientific and astronomical developments.
  • The Library of Ashurbanipal had a lasting impact on scientific and astronomical developments by preserving crucial texts on these subjects that informed later scholars. The astronomical tablets within the library laid foundational concepts for future astronomers in both Babylonian and Greek traditions. By documenting celestial observations and mathematical calculations, these texts contributed to an evolving understanding of astronomy that influenced various cultures throughout history, illustrating how knowledge is built upon past discoveries.

Related terms

Cuneiform: An ancient writing system used in Mesopotamia, consisting of wedge-shaped marks on clay tablets.

Ashurbanipal:

An Assyrian king known for his military conquests and for establishing one of the first known libraries in history.

Mesopotamian Literature: The body of written works produced in ancient Mesopotamia, which includes myths, epics, hymns, and legal texts.