The Lifestyle of a King

According to Chapter 4, “The centre of Assyrian government,” the king of Assyria was completely adequate to be the successor of “a theoretically unique line” (78). Even though there were some conflicts within the neo-Assyrian era, the transmission of power seems to have been a success. The king was considered the chosen one, and even though he received his authority from the god Ashur, he appeared to the public to be imbued with a semi-divine power and aura. Everyone was expected to give him absolute obedience and to follow the oaths of loyalty in which they swore to him. Everyone who served him was granted his favor and other material benefits. Living in the royal palace seems to be a safe place, “the sovereign’s residence and the model of the prosperous and harmonious world over which he reigned” (78).

With this being said, why is it that the king is placed under gods’ protection? It is known that the Assyrian kings lived and spent time in luxurious buildings, where there was sure to be no trouble at all. The king was actually surrounded by a body of exports whose duty was to take care of him spiritually. It seems as if the king had everything he could ever ask for. The king of Assyria, for example, seems to have had the respect of the people and had the “great freedom of action.”