Asnapper—probably the same as Assur-bani-pal (Sardanapalos of the Greeks), styled the “great and noble” (Ezra 4:10), was the son and successor (668) of Esar-haddon (q.v.). He was “luxurious, ambitious, and cruel, but a magnificent patron of literature.” He formed at Nineveh a library of clay tablets, numbering about 10,000. These are now mostly in the British Museum. They throw much light on the history and antiquities of Assyria.

Asnapper had much difficulty in retaining possession of his vast empire. Before his death Egypt had successfully revolted from under his power, and Babylonia had regained much of its independence. He was succeeded by Esar-haddon II., the last of the Assyrian kings, and under his reign Nineveh was besieged and destroyed, and the second Assyrian empire perished hopelessly. (See NINEVEH.)