Final answer:
The Stele of Naram-Sin illustrates Akkadian kingship as god-like, depicting the king in a superior size and wearing a divine symbol, while dominating his enemies in battle. This portrayal emphasizes the divine right to rule and the king's central, commanding role.
Step-by-step explanation:
Akkadian Concepts of Kingship and the Naram-Sin Stele
The Stele of Naram-Sin suggests that Akkadian concepts of kingship included the king's divine association, superiority in battle, and a central ruling figure. The depiction of Naram-Sin on the stele emphasizes his size compared to soldiers, wearing a horned headpiece, symbolizing a connection to the divine. The stele features a complex and dynamic scene showing Naram-Sin amidst a victorious battle over the Lullubi Mountain people, standing over his dead and dying enemies. The Akkadian king's soldiers look towards him, reinforcing his status as a dominant ruler.
The stele, carved in high relief, also has cuneiform script that narrates the scene, linking the king's military success with his divine favor and legitimacy as a ruler. Additionally, historical records indicate that later rulers, such as the Elamite king Shutruk-Nahhunte, respected the power associated with such artifacts, evidenced by his transport of the stele to Susa. The Victory Stele of Naram-Sin acts as a testament to the god-like depiction of kings and their supposed divine right to rule in the Akkadian Empire.
Comparing the Akkadian art with other periods, like the Neo-Babylonian Empire, it can be seen that later rulers continued to invoke the iconography of previous empires to legitimize their rule, reflecting the long-standing impact of the Akkadian portrayal of kingship.