HistoryExtra podcast Gods, demons, witches and exorcists: inside an ancient Assyrian library
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May 15, 2025 Selena Wisnom, an expert in ancient Mesopotamia and author of The Library of Ancient Wisdom, guides listeners through the fascinating world of the Assyrian library created by King Ashurbanipal. She uncovers how this monumental collection reveals Assyrian beliefs about gods and the supernatural, along with the complexities of their religious practices. The discussion covers everything from divine communication, offerings, and demon beliefs, to the intriguing legacy of the lost library and the scientific insights of ancient civilizations.
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King's Divine Role and Omens
- The king had a personal god, Ashur, symbolic of Assyria's power, and monitored omens as messages assessing his reign.
- Keeping gods pleased was vital; the king acted as high priest ensuring offerings at temples.
Exorcists as Divine Advocates
- Exorcists used ritual, magic, and legal pleading to persuade gods to change their minds and heal people.
- Magic’s power depended entirely on divine approval, not on the exorcist’s own ability.
Witchcraft as Disease and Cure
- Witchcraft was seen as a diagnosable condition with specific symptoms warranting ritual cures.
- Rituals aimed to redirect harmful magic back to the witch, relying on gods to guide the process.
