The Assyrian Coronation Ritual

Anonymous / tradition (Ashur temple priesthood) · c. 8th-7th century BC (Neo-Assyrian copy of an older ceremonial tradition) · Ashur (Iraq) · scripture

A step-by-step liturgy for crowning a new Assyrian king at Ashur, in which a priest recites 'Assur is king, Assur is king' while the new king is enthroned and blessed, argues that royal legitimacy required a scripted, repeatable religious performance rather than heredity alone.