Reply To: Ruling Mesopotamia

[Jessi Willeto]

A common theme within the Mesopotamian cultures showing their power is showing their connection to divinity — the right to rule. They would liken themselves to the gods, use hierarchy of scale (stele of Naram-Sin), and depict themselves doing something noble or brave (hunting lions). Hammurabi’s Code depicts him quite literally consulting with a God, elevating himself to the divine as the code falls beneath him. Saddam Hussein had a similar goal in mind by reconstruction of the Ishtar Gate.