Named for the Assyrian king Ashurbanipal (c.693–626 B.C.), who became king in 669 B.C. and is historically important because of his collection of Babylonian and Assyrian documents and literature on clay tablets in cuneiform characters. The great epic poem of Gilgamesh {see planet  (1812)} is found in his library. Also impressive are the large stone reliefs at his palace, where Ashurbanipal’s deeds are detailed. (M 30800) _ _.