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The pre-Christian religion of the Assyrian Empire (sometimes called 'Ashurism') centered around the god Assur, patron deity of the city of Assur, besides Ishtar patroness of Niniveh.
The Assyrians adopted Christianity in the course of the 1st to 3rd century AD,^[1] the last recorded worship of Ashur dating to AD 256.^[2][3]

Contents

Origins

Henotheism

Influence on Abrahamic religions

See also

External links

References

Origins

The origins of the ancient Assyrian religion lie in Sumer and Akkad and are intertwined in Mesopotamian mythology. The ancient Assyrian religion was an evolution of the ancient polythiestic Sumero-Akkadian religion into henotheism. The process of Ashur taking over the roles of over Gods runs parallel with the expansionist policies of the Assyrian Empire^[4]. As the Assyrians extended their domain over lands, it was important that the local peoples acknowledge the Assyrian King as the King of their lands as well. However, Kingship at the time was linked very closely with the idea of divine mandate^[5]. That is to say, that the Assyrian King, whilst not being a God himsef, was acknowledged as the chief servant of the chief God, Ashur. In this manner, the King's authority was seen as absolute so long as the High Priest reassured the peoples that the Gods or in the case of the henotheistic Assyrians, ''the God'' was pleased with the current ruler. For the Assyrians who lived in Assur and the surrounding lands, this was the norm. For the conquered peoples, this was novel, especially to smaller city-states. In time, Assur was promoted from being the local deity of Assur to the Overlord of the vast Assyrian domain, with worship to be conducted in his name throughout the lands of the Assyrians. With the worship of Assur across much of the Fertile Crescent, the Assyrian King could command the loyalty of his fellow servants of Assur.

Henotheism

Ashur, the patron deity of the eponymous capital from the Late Bronze Age was in constant rivalry with the patron deity of Babylon, Marduk.
In Assyria, Ashur eventually superseded Marduk even in his role as husband of Ishtar.
The ancient Assyrians believed Ashur to be the "Sky Axle" or "he who makes the world turn" based on the ancient Sumerian deity referred to as Anshar of the same likeness. Gradually over time his status was elevated to the leader of the Gods by his worshipers. Some believe that the belief gradually formed the basis of monotheism and ultimately of the Abrahamic religions. (see also Urmonotheismus)

Influence on Abrahamic religions

Many of the stories of the Tanakh,^[6] and the Qur'an are believed to have been based on, influenced by, or inspired by the legendary mythological past of the Near East. The Enuma Elish in particular has been compared to the Genesis creation story. The story of Esther in particular is traced to Babylonian roots.
The New Testament is also significantly indebted to the Mesopotamian myth of the reborn god (see Christ as myth).

See also

★ Religions of the Ancient Near East

External links

★ http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/02007c.htm

★ http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/02179b.htm

References

1. Iraqi Assyrians: Barometer of Pluralism
2. Brief History of Assyrians
3. Assyrians after Assyria
4. Handbook to Life in Ancient Mesopotamia, , Stephen, Bertman, Oxford UP, 2005,
5. Handbook to Life in Ancient Mesopotamia, , Stephen, Bertman, Oxford UP, 2005,
6. Assyria