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ZENODO
Article . 2025
License: CC BY
Data sources: ZENODO
ZENODO
Article . 2025
License: CC BY
Data sources: Datacite
ZENODO
Article . 2025
License: CC BY
Data sources: Datacite
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The Sargonid Blueprint: Naram-Sin's Stele and the Invention of Divine Universal Kingship

Authors: Revista, Zen; HISTORY, 10;

The Sargonid Blueprint: Naram-Sin's Stele and the Invention of Divine Universal Kingship

Abstract

The Stele of Naram-Sin, a monumental relief sculpture from the Akkadian Empire (circa 2254-2218 BCE), stands as a pivotal artifact in the history of ancient Near Eastern art and political ideology. This paper examines how the Stele of Naram-Sin served as a "blueprint" for the invention of divine universal kingship, a revolutionary concept that fundamentally altered the perception of royal authority in Mesopotamia. Traditionally, Mesopotamian kings were seen as earthly representatives of the gods; however, Naram-Sin uniquely claimed divinity for himself during his lifetime, a claim powerfully articulated through the iconography of his victory stele. The stele depicts Naram-Sin wearing a horned helmet, a symbol previously reserved exclusively for deities, towering over his disciplined troops and vanquished Lullubi enemies, all under the gaze of celestial bodies. Through a rigorous analysis of its artistic composition, symbolic elements, and historical context, this study argues that the stele's innovative visual narrative consciously crafted an image of a god-king whose dominion extended universally, legitimizing aggressive imperial expansion and establishing a new paradigm for royal propaganda. This paper will delve into the visual rhetoric employed, comparing it with earlier Mesopotamian art and later imperial traditions to highlight its groundbreaking nature and lasting influence on concepts of sovereignty, divine legitimacy, and imperial power in the ancient world.

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selected citations
These citations are derived from selected sources.
This is an alternative to the "Influence" indicator, which also reflects the overall/total impact of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network (diachronically).
BIP!Citations provided by BIP!
popularity
This indicator reflects the "current" impact/attention (the "hype") of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network.
BIP!Popularity provided by BIP!
influence
This indicator reflects the overall/total impact of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network (diachronically).
BIP!Influence provided by BIP!
impulse
This indicator reflects the initial momentum of an article directly after its publication, based on the underlying citation network.
BIP!Impulse provided by BIP!
0
Average
Average
Average
Green