Divine legitimation of Iranian kingship (1)

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There is a special relationship between the gods Ahura Mazdā, Mithra, Anāhitā and Achaemenid kingship, a fact demonstrated by the appearence of the names of divinities in the royal inscriptions. It is probable that this relationship reflected Mesopotamian beliefs and customs, especially in the case of Marduk and Ištar (and her various forms). Moreover, the formula used in the Old Persian inscriptions to express the idea of the divine investiture of the king of kings was vašnā Ahuramazdāha “by the will of Ahura Mazdā” which was quite probably of Mesopotamian inspiration. It contains the idea of the election of the sovereign being by the sumpreme god which is similar to Mesopotamian concept of kingship, adapted to the reality of a univesal empire and an absolute monarchy.

Bibliography

Andrea Piras

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