Ashurbanipal ( 685 BC -- 627 BC ) , the son of Esarhaddon , was the last great king of the Neo-Assyrian Empire . Ashurbanipal ( , , `` Ashur is creator of an heir '' ; 685 BCE â `` c. 627 BCE ) , also spelled Assurbanipal or Ashshurbanipal , was an Assyrian king , the son of Esarhaddon and the last great king of the Neo-Assyrian Empire ( 668 BCE â `` c. 627 BCE ) .