Assyrian King

After reading through Chapter 4 of the Age of Empires, we arrive at a better sense or picture of the king of Assyria. Not only was he the legitimate hereditary successor of the past kings, he was chosen by the god and endowed with “godly” qualities. The King of Assyria called upon the strength and authoritarian power through the god Ashur. Hence, with backing from the gods, the Assyrian king appeared to have a “semi-divine power and aura, and everyone owed him absolute obedience” (Joannes 78). This high belief in the king allows him to control almost every aspect of his citizens’ lives, especially economically and religiously.
For foreign kings, the Assyrian king would grant them protection in return for the payment of regular tributes, with the complete acknowledgment of the superiority of the Assyrian King and he god, Ashur. The Assyrian monarchs started a chain of royal titles for themselves attempted many adventures and conquests so that the glory of those trips could be advertised on the annals.
Especially with divine backing, the king was “endowed with outstanding qualities in all aspects – moral, religious, political, physical – which justified the support afforded to him by the gods” (Joannes 80).
On a physical level, kings are often described as warrior heroes and accomplished horseman. Kings also had very high moral and religious qualities in their constant piety and oracular consultations made before many decisions. The Assyrian king was essentially the head of the clergy because he was the chief priest of the god Ashur.
I am extremely curious to see whether or not the general piety of the each individual king affected the viewpoint of the citizens of Assyria and how responsive the conquered territories were to the enforced tributes and worship of the Assyrian main god, Ashur.