The rulers of the time showed their power in art by commissioning over sized ornate items. The rulers were always depicted at the top and usually with the gods. I feel like the rulers of the time used the gods as an excuse to get the people to follow them. The idea that the people were serving a god that has chosen a ruler to lead them. This has happened throughout history, Jesus was the chosen one, the pope is saint-like, The Dali-lama and; Hitler, Stalin, Ganges Kan etc…
Obviously everyone noted Saddam and Iraq as using these ancient sites for their political benefit. People of modern day may notice the giant statues of Saddam in Iraq, Same can be found in Russia, China, and North Korea. Rulers throughout history have commissioned enormous works of art to portray their own greatness to the people.
Guy