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What subjects were recorded on the tablets in Ashurbanipalâs library?
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Nineveh
The partially reconstructed Nergal Gate in Nineveh, Iraq.
The library of Ashurbanipal at Nineveh contained a vast collection of over 20,000 tablets and fragments that preserved the ancient lore of Mesopotamia. The subjects recorded on these tablets were diverse, encompassing the following areas:
- Literary and Epic Works: The library preserved traditional Mesopotamian epics, including the stories of Gilgamesh, Creation, Etana, Anzu, and Irra, as well as various fables, proverbs, and folk tales.12
- Religious and Omen Texts: A major portion of the collection consisted of omen texts based on the observation of celestial bodies (Sun, Moon, planets, and stars), as well as the features and behaviors of humans, animals, and plants. It also included many prayers, rituals, and incantations.12
- Scientific and Academic Subjects: The library held branches of learning such as mathematics, botany, chemistry, and lexicology. Lexicographical texts, which functioned like dictionaries, were essential for the scribal educational system.12
- Administrative and Correspondence: The collection included a significant number of letters and various administrative documents.1