The ancient Assyrian Empire is known for its vast library in Nineveh, which was discovered in the 19th century. This library, mainly associated with King Ashurbanipal, housed thousands of clay tablets containing texts on various subjects, including literature, science, and religion. It is considered one of the earliest libraries in history and was crucial in preserving knowledge of ancient Mesopotamian civilization. The most famous work found in that library is the Epic of Gilgamesh. The library's existence highlights the Assyrians' commitment to scholarship and cultural preservation during their rule.