RELS 3580 Chapter 2: The Problem of Ritual Efficacy (Sax) Chapter 2
9 Sep 2016
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Sax et all, chapter 2: ritual healing and investiture of babylonian king. Semiannual investiture of babylonian king: mesopotamian ideology says king was chosen by gods a. i. King=superhuman; far above men in intelligence and strength a. ii. Babylonian ruler had to gain divine confirmation of his rule 2 times a year a. ii. 1. New year"s festivals for spring and autumnal equinox a. iii. During ceremony king divested of insignia by priest who then slapped him and made him recite that he"d not done ill by the gods: problems in performing new year"s festivals: absent gods and kings b. i. Festivals required gods present in their statues; also needed king b. ii. When a king couldn"t come back to babylonian time b/c he was ill, the people said it was b/c his personal god had fallen out with other gods b. ii. 1. Absence had political consequences-he"d gained enemies before his trip and not being back for festival weakens legitimacy b. iii.
