Ashurbanipal 𒀸𒋩𒆕𒀀

About

The last great Assyrian ruler, Ashurbanipal is famous for his library in Ninevia, and infamous for his extreme violence. He had a passion for collecting clay tablets with various texts, epics and annals, along with medicine records and divine prays. By his order, during wars and campaigns, every clay tablet was taken out from the occupied and conquered cities, and every ziggurat should have been kept safe. Ashurbanipal cherished his library so much he threatened potential thieves with death penalty and divine punishment from the gods. Thanks to his library, we now have an opportunity to know everything and anything about assyrian history, life and religion. Because of his intelligence and love of art and writing Mesopotamia has gone through its most productive era of growth of art and literature, which works are still considered as the most beautiful, dynamic and vibrant even nowadays. His grandfather Sennacherib built the true Hanging Gardens of Babylon, and his father Esarhaddon recontructed the biblical Tower of Babylon. As you see, his love of culture and art is hereditary. Well, not only love of art, but also many hereditary diseases: as well as ill (physically and mentally) he is also really valetudinarian. Illnesses of mind and body, such as bipolar disorder, arthritis, back aches and migraines, which made him suffer without any proper therapy, were perceived as divine punishment for his sins, so it only made everything worse. An intelligent and religious maecenas; a passionate lover; and a blood tyrant with no sanity left. Such a tragedy, isn't it?

Appearance

Despite being remembered by humanity as a blood tyrant and violent despot, assyrians depicted him as a brave warrior, clever rider, smart and intelligent art enjoyer, genius strategist. Handsome, strong and loved by all gods too, of course. Even in conquered Babylonia people had a memory of him not as of an enemy, but as of a king of the Universe.

Who would ever consider these words? Well, he is truly smart and maybe even a genius, a charismatic man with spacious mind. A bibliophile also, if you will. He is capable of speaking and writing on three languages: Akkadian, Sumerian (a dead language on that moment!), Aramean. Ashurbanipal is very religious, so he spends much time praying and doing rituals (including even self-torture): always in time, always perfect, or the gods will be angered and will never forgive him his sins. Everything he does is done in honour of gods and goddesses, to achieve their mercy, their blessings, luck and health. Ashurbanibal is a master strategist, but prefers staying comfortable at home to participating in war campaigns personally; the only exception are cases of extreme will and wrath. Ashurbanipal adores not only scribal and mural arts but also music and songs. He enjoys spending leisure time chilling in his garden with Libbali-Sharrat, drinking and talking while being accompanied with music; also enjoys good food, hunting, archery trainings and, of course, art of erotism — sex, lustful kisses, cuddles, orgies. Ashurbanipal enjoys torturing his enemies, covering his hands in warm blood. Damaged brain and broken mind of him shows the true duality of a man: shrewd and sagacious along with frantically sadistic.

And talking about behaviour. While being always strict, serious or not in the mood (or "neutral" because it's like his defolt state) he is not so talkable. But, he is also very emotional and expressive and gesticulates heavily, so it's easy to read his emotions by his face or hands. But in a good triumphant mood (or during maniacal phase) he gets passionate, talks loudly and laughs. He is always arrogant, smug, selfish, sadistic, however, because of mental disorder his mood switches abruptly and rapidly, depressive and maniacal phase switching one another. So if drunk, he becomes either chill and benelovent (or even lustful!) telling stories of his victorious campaigns, or a sobbing anxious depressive mess. His violence is, in many ways, a result of his faith; he will spill blood of heretics and enemies if it satisfies the will of divine: "For those dead and alive, for all my life I've been doing good deeds!" - a righteous sufferers last words. He's a "yangire" type, somewhere — in his sadistic and bloodlust nature, and in his behaviour during battles when he gets into rage. But do not forget that with plenty of his somehow controversial qualities, he is still a wise man who cherishes art and scribe mastery; who is a smart and cunning strategist; strongly devoted to gods, but who is still would do anything possible to achieve power and majesty for his people. Otherwise, a part of him could be described as a "beloved", a passionate lover. He loves his wife truly, so she is almost the only one able to embrace him. He loves cuddles, kisses, smooches and any other love signs; and loves Libbali-Sharrat, of course.

On ancient assyrian murals, Ashurbanipal was portrayed as strong and handsome. Tall, with muscular body and stiff hands (but still a bit soft, somehow). Long and fluffy hair always perfectly done (do not touch!), with no other bodyhair: divine can't be touched with hands those are dirty. On his back and shoulders, there are many scars left from akitu celebration and many battles. And he's pretty handsome by face: straight, a little bit long and pointy nose; wide dark eyebrows. Long eyelashes — it is natural, with only a little bit of eyeliner which was used by both men and women on a daily basis. Golden-ambery eyes, attribute of a king which proves his kingship. His accessories such as rings, earrings and pectoral are made of electrum, pearls for necklace are the best from the Persian gulf, and his garments are made of the highest quality wool and the dyes are the most expensive ones. Ceremonial accessories and garments look way richer, decorated with gemstones and with more colourful ornaments.

A beautiful, beautiful wise king, worth worship and adoration.