The Akkadians conception of power is absolutism and loyalty to the royal king and not the city-state. The king, Sargon of Akkad, had so much power that his own grandsons who were governors of cities were considered just simply servants to the king. The king believed that he held so much power, that he called himself “the ruler of the earth.” The absolute monarchy and divine power is depicted in the victory stele of Naram-Sin at Sipp ar, showing his defeat of the Lull ubi. The stele, made of pink sandstone, depicts Naram-Sin who is the grandson of Sargon. On the stele, Naram-Sin is leading his triumphant army up the mountain as they defeat their enemies.
At the top of the stele, the king, who is the largest in size, stands alone at the top of the mountain. This shows how Akkadians viewed the prominence of the king. He also stands above his enemies who are stabbed and pleading him, revealing the great power he holds in order to overcome his foes. The king wears a horned helmet on his head which also signifies his deification. The king’s troops beneath him in the middle and bottom part of the stele are smaller in size, again showing the king’s dominant power. The king’s men are lined up in an orderly-fashioned manner with their weapons ready at hand, which suggests the organization and discipline that they obtained.
All of the men are looking up to the king with their right hand on top of their chest and left foot stepped forward, portraying the loyalty and respect given to the king, and the obedience towards serving their ruler. They are ready to follow to the king’s commands. As for the enemies in the stele, they are exposed as “crushed underfoot, fall[ing], flee[ing], [dying], or beg[ging] for mercy” (50).
The Essay on Victory Stele Of Naram Sin And Palette Of Narmer
... battle like Naram-Sin. King Narmer appears as if he has more power though. The bulls at the top and on ... a symbol of the Kings power. He is shown again and again as victorious over his enemies, like striking down ... shown with great posture as they follow him. This Stele depicts him as a great warrior and a ... can see one of their eyes. The Victory Stele of Naram-Sin shows his victory over the Lull ubi ...
The group of warriors is stepping over or on top of their weak and worthless rivals, proving that the enemies are no match for the king’s troops. The victory stele, along with other Akkadian art such as the Head of an Akkadian ruler shows how much power the Akkadian king would hold.
The king had so much authority that eh was like a god himself. This goes into account that he was supreme and everyone else was intimidated by him. Under the king’s orders and control, the Akkadian troops were undef eatable and victorious, and they arrogantly showed it through their art.
