Ashurbanipal
Summary
This episode explores the life of Ashurbanipal, the last great king of the Neo-Assyrian Empire, highlighting his dual legacy as a ruthless conqueror and a scholarly patron. The hosts detail his complex relationship with his brother Shamash-shum-ukin and the devastating siege of Babylon that resulted in his brother’s death. A major focus is Ashurbanipal’s library at Nineveh, one of the world’s oldest organized collections of texts, which preserved crucial works like the Epic of Gilgamesh.
Topics discussed
Sponsorships: YouTube Premium, AT&T, and Brilliant
Introduction to Mesopotamia and the British Museum
Geography, Timeline, and Assyrian History Overview
Ashurbanipal's Succession and Esarhaddon's Reign
Ashurbanipal's Education and Literacy
Sponsor Breaks: AT&T, ADT, YouTube, and Brilliant
Sponsor Break: Burger King Chicken Nuggets
Ashurbanipal's Palaces, Gardens, and Artistic Patronage
The Neo-Assyrian Peak and Ashurbanipal's Legacy
Ruthless Tactics and Population Relocation
Military Campaigns and Conflict with Babylon
Civil War with Shamash-shum-ukin and Empire's Fall
Sponsor Breaks: YouTube, Brilliant, and Burger King
Sponsor Break: McCormick and Alexis Ohanian Interview
The Library of Ashurbanipal: Discovery and Scale
Library Contents: Medicine, Math, and Literature
Omens, Divination, and the Loss of Originals
Excavation History and Distribution of Tablets
Deciphering Cuneiform and Historical Corrections
Modern Research Projects and Virtual Museum Access
Listener Mail: Health, Pets, and Embroidery
Outro and Final Sponsor Reads
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