History Extra Podcast: "Gods, Demons, Witches and Exorcists: Inside an Ancient Assyrian Library"

Release Date: May 15, 2025
Host: Immediate Media
Guest: Dr. Selina Wisnom, expert in the history of ancient Mesopotamia

Introduction: Exploring Ashurbanipal's Library

In this captivating episode of the History Extra podcast, Dr. Selina Wisnom delves into the depths of the Library of Ashurbanipal, an ancient Assyrian repository of knowledge. Hosted by David Musgrove, the discussion unveils how this extraordinary collection offers profound insights into the religious, social, and political fabric of the Assyrian Empire.

Ashurbanipal: The Scholar-King of Assyria [02:17 - 04:29]

Dr. Wisnom introduces listeners to Ashurbanipal, a formidable king of the Assyrian Empire during the 7th century BC. Ashurbanipal, whose reign marked the zenith of Assyrian power, was not only a warrior but also a patron of knowledge. His empire stretched from Egypt and Turkey in the west to Iran in the east, with Nineveh, near modern-day Mosul, serving as its capital.

David Musgrove describes Ashurbanipal as "King of Assyria, king of the world," highlighting his ambition and the vastness of his dominion.

The Library of Ashurbanipal: A Treasure Trove of Mesopotamian Wisdom [06:43 - 09:58]

Ashurbanipal's library was a monumental project aimed at consolidating all the knowledge of Mesopotamia under one roof. The collection encompassed diverse subjects, including poetry, literature, magic, medicine, and rituals. Musgrove emphasizes the library's dual purpose: "It's also a collection that's quite personal to him," noting Ashurbanipal's hands-on involvement through personal letters and educational texts.

Dr. Wisnom explains, "Ashurbanipal makes all kinds of contributions and innovations to that as well," underscoring the king's role in both preserving and advancing Assyrian scholarship.

Notable Quote:
"Ashurbanipal was not just a mighty warrior, but someone who was also trying to collect all of the wisdom of ancient Mesopotamia." ([03:50])

Religion and the Divine: Understanding the Assyrian Pantheon [10:32 - 14:02]

The library's texts reveal a complex religious system where gods had distinct domains, such as war, plague, scribes, and justice. The Assyrians believed that misfortunes were signs of divine displeasure, necessitating atonement to regain favor.

David Musgrove elaborates, "They have a basic pantheon of gods. People would pray to different gods for the things that they wanted in life." He further explains the concept of "God napping," where enemies would steal a city's patron god to demoralize and weaken it.

Notable Quote:
"If you fall out with your friends, you fall out with your family. If you become really ill, usually it means you are estranged from the gods in some way." ([11:07])

Demons and the Role of Pazuzu [23:08 - 24:47]

Assyrian mythology featured numerous demons, both malevolent and protective. Pazuzu, often mischaracterized in modern media, was actually seen as a protective demon capable of combating more harmful entities like Lamashtu, who was notorious for harming infants and pregnant women.

David Musgrove clarifies Pazuzu's true role: "He was actually somebody who the exorcist could get on his side to fight against other demons."

Notable Quote:
"Some of the demons seem to be like slithering underneath a door, like a draft. It's very shadowy and insubstantial." ([22:14])

Life After Death: Assyrian Afterlife Beliefs [24:59 - 27:30]

Assyrians envisioned the afterlife as a shadowy underworld where one’s fate was tied to their lineage. Having numerous children ensured sustenance in the afterlife, as living descendants would continue to offer food and drink to deceased ancestors.

David Musgrove states, "They're feeding the gods vast quantities of food every single day," highlighting the continuous relationship between the living and the dead.

Notable Quote:
"If they didn't do that, they thought that they wouldn't be able to drink and then they would go mad with thirst." ([26:35])

Exorcism and Magical Practices [18:32 - 22:14]

Exorcists in Assyrian society played a crucial role in mediating between humans and the gods. Their practices involved rituals that resembled legal proceedings, aiming to persuade deities to reverse unfavorable omens or dispel malevolent forces.

David Musgrove compares exorcists to lawyers: "It's his job to persuade them. And a lot of the rituals that he performs are set up a bit like a law court."

Notable Quote:
"He's more like a lawyer than a wizard or a magician or something like that." ([18:56])

Divination and the Quest for Knowledge [27:39 - 30:34]

Divination was a sophisticated practice in Assyria, involving the interpretation of celestial events, natural anomalies, and sacrificial rituals to predict the future or seek guidance. The process was highly methodical, often involving multiple officials to ensure accuracy and objectivity.

David Musgrove explains, "The Babylonians would look inside a sheep. We don't consider that necessarily any more reliable. But is it actually any more accurate? Not necessarily."

Notable Quote:
"They really do seem to be very sincere in trying to get the right answer." ([29:43])

Sexuality and Social Norms: Balancing Control and Celebration [30:34 - 33:24]

The library's texts reveal contrasting views on sexuality. While some omens advocated for male self-control and dominance, other texts celebrated sexual expression and joyous unions. This dichotomy suggests a complex societal attitude towards gender roles and sexual behavior.

David Musgrove discusses, "They seem to approve of self-control, as you say. Their omens say that too much ejaculating is terrible for the man."

Notable Quote:
"You're gonna be thirsty all of the time anyway, and then they'll come back to haunt you, which is a disaster." ([26:50])

The Demise of the Library and Its Legacy [33:24 - 35:33]

Ashurbanipal's library met its end when Nineveh was sacked by the Babylonians in 612 BC. Despite the destruction, many tablets were preserved, allowing future generations to access this wealth of knowledge. Ashurbanipal's legacy as a guardian of culture endured, influencing subsequent scholars and traditions.

David Musgrove notes, "He was known as a scholar. He was known in later tradition for that."

Notable Quote:
"The Babylonians probably did take quite a lot of it back with them to Babylon, because... they've been rifling through it." ([34:20])

Reflections on Ancient and Modern Perspectives [35:06 - 35:33]

Dr. Wisnom and Musgrove conclude with reflections on how modern society views ancient civilizations. They emphasize the ingenuity and achievements of the Assyrians, urging listeners to appreciate the sophistication of their knowledge systems without projecting contemporary biases.

David Musgrove marvels, "These are people who could predict the movements of any star or planet to an accuracy of 4 minutes on any day... without any instruments except their bare hands."

Notable Quote:
"We're doing similar kinds of things for similar reasons as well. Because human beings hate uncertainty. We'll do anything we can to eliminate that." ([35:06])

Conclusion

This episode offers a compelling journey into the heart of ancient Assyria, revealing how the Library of Ashurbanipal serves as a window into the civilization's religious practices, social norms, and intellectual pursuits. By understanding the complexities of Assyrian society, listeners gain a deeper appreciation for the enduring legacy of one of history's most influential empires.

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