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What was the primary function of the ancient Library of Ashurbanipal?
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The primary function of the ancient Library of Ashurbanipal, located in Nineveh (modern-day Iraq), was to serve as a center for the collection, preservation, and dissemination of knowledge and literature. Established during the reign of the Assyrian king Ashurbanipal (668–627 BCE), it housed a vast array of cuneiform texts, including administrative documents, legal texts, historical records, religious hymns, poetry (such as the Epic of Gilgamesh), and scientific writings.
The library was not only a repository of knowledge but also played a significant role in the governance of the empire, as it aided in the administration and ideology of rule. It reflected the cultural and intellectual pursuits of the time and demonstrated the importance of literacy and scholarship in Assyrian society. The library is considered one of the most significant archaeological discoveries related to the ancient Near East and has provided invaluable insights into the history, culture, and beliefs of the Assyrian civilization.
The library was not only a repository of knowledge but also played a significant role in the governance of the empire, as it aided in the administration and ideology of rule. It reflected the cultural and intellectual pursuits of the time and demonstrated the importance of literacy and scholarship in Assyrian society. The library is considered one of the most significant archaeological discoveries related to the ancient Near East and has provided invaluable insights into the history, culture, and beliefs of the Assyrian civilization.
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