LEHRSTUHL FÜR ALTORIENTALISCHE LITERATUREN INSTITUT FÜR ASSYRIOLOGIE UND HETHITOLOGIE FAKULTÄT FÜR KULTURWISSENSCHAFTEN

The Ludwig-Maximilian University of Munich (LMU) is one of the most renowned and largest universities in Germany. The project “Reading the Library of : A Multi-sectional Analysis of Assyriology’s Foundational Corpus” (Institute for Assyriology and Hittitology, Faculty for Cultural Studies) seeks to appoint on 1 March 2020 at the earliest a:

Research Assistant (PhD Position, TV-L E13, 65%, 3 years)

Your Responsibilities:  Work on the DFG-funded project „Reading the Library of Ashurbanipal: A Multi- sectional Analysis of Assyriology’s Foundational Corpus“  Dissertation on the provenience of the tablets in the Library of Ashurbanipal (topic: “Tablets to “)

Your Profile:  Excellent university degree in Assyriology (MA)  Demonstrable experience in the reading of original tablets  Computer skills

Description of the Project: Reading the Library of Ashurbanipal will interpret the single most important group of texts from the using a series of interlocking case studies. The 31,000 tablets and fragments found in the ruins of Nineveh, the capital of King Ashurbanipal’s (668–631 BCE) empire, have been central to the modern study of Assyrian and Babylonian scholarship for almost two centuries now. Yet the sheer size and complexity of this corpus, together with uncertainties generated by the shortcomings of the pioneering excavation techniques and museological practices, have hindered our understanding of what that collection of texts actually represents. For while we now understand in detail particular texts or groups within the “Library”, we know very little about the “Library” itself. A body of interpretations has accumulated, based on the experience of several individual scholars, but the evidence base for these interpretations is very weak. These interpretations are open to serious challenge. Reading the Library of Ashurbanipal addresses the key question: What is “Ashurbanipal’s Library”, as we know it? The project approaches this question through three subsidiary research objectives, each of which leverages paratextual information to elucidate a significant section of the corpus. The first such objective, “Understanding Colophon Types”, systematically analyses the scribal notes appended to Library tablets by establishing a new taxonomy and studying the relationship between the text contained on the tablets and the colophons appended to them. For the first time, it will establish how many tablets from Nineveh bear a library label and how many tablets belonged to collections other than Ashurbanipal’s own. The second objective, “Literature in Library Records”, correlates the tablets discovered at Nineveh with those mentioned in ancient lists recording acquisitions

LEHRSTUHL FÜR ALTORIENTALISCHE LITERATUREN INSTITUT FÜR ASSYRIOLOGIE UND HETHITOLOGIE FAKULTÄT FÜR KULTURWISSENSCHAFTEN

by Ashurbanipal. This will reveal key information about the scope of his collection, as well as how his library functioned. The third objective, “Tablets to Nineveh”, exploits the information provided in the texts about the origin of the originals from which they were copied. The main points to be studied are how scholarly knowledge arrived at Nineveh, what the significance of the Assyrian and Babylonian inputs was, and what form they took. Reading the Library of Ashurbanipal makes it possible for the first time to offer an analysis of the “Library” based on detailed, systematic and thorough surveys of the evidence. It builds on many years of preparatory work, and utilises digital technologies to help overcome the otherwise unmanageable mass of material. The project relies on a series of carefully constructed studies to investigate aspects of the Library that have never been the topic of serious scrutiny, and benefits from the uniquely close relationship of staff with the collection and from the pioneering methods to study cuneiform tablets developed at LMU Munich.

Our offer: The university is centrally located in Munich and can be reached very easily by public transport. We offer a stimulating work atmosphere with opportunities for further education and growth.

The salary will be calculated according to group TV-L E13 (65%). The contract will be limited to three years. We particularly welcome applications from female candidates. The University intends to enhance the diversity of its faculty members: disabled candidates with essentially equal qualifications will be given preference.

Address for Applications: Send your application (Cover letter [max. 2 pages], CV, Writing samples [e.g. chapter from Bachelor or MA thesis]) before 10 February 2020 to:

Prof. Dr. Enrique Jiménez Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München Institut für Assyriologie und Hethitologie Geschwister-Scholl-Platz 1 80539 München

Please send your application in electronic form (in a single PDF file of 5 MB max.) to: [email protected]