Picturing Royal Charisma: Kings and Rulers in the Near East from 3000 BCE to 1700 CE

Picturing Royal Charisma explores how Middle Eastern leaders used visuals to advance their rule from 4500 BC to the 19th century AD, showcasing long-lasting traditions and the visualization of those at the head of the social order. Contributions discuss Mesopotamian kings, the lion, Akhenatens, Neo-Assyrian eunuchs, the triumphal arch, authority, royal legitimacy, and the power of images by Islamic rulers.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 152 pages
Publication date: 04 May 2023
Publisher: Archaeopress

From approximately 4500 BC to the 19th century AD, Middle Eastern leaders employed visual manipulation to strengthen their rule, as explored in the book Picturing Royal Charisma. Through nine captivating narratives, the book delves into the intricate dynamics of enduring Middle Eastern traditions, shedding light on the visual representation of those who held esteemed positions in society. The contributions in this book explore various aspects, including Mesopotamian kings who portrayed themselves as divine representatives in art, the intricate relationships between the 'king of men' and the 'king of beasts' – the lion, the visual portrayal of Akhenatens as a divine king devoid of hybrid attributes, the role of royal images in guiding visitors within the palace of Nimrud, the persistence of the functions and representation of Neo-Assyrian eunuchs across different courts, including the Achaemenid, Sasanian, Byzantine, and Islamic ones, the triumphal arch of the emperor Titus and its resonances in Christian Constantinople, the patterns of authority and royal legitimacy observed in 3rd century AD Palmyra and Rome, the utilization of the Biblical past in constructing kingship in 12th-century Crusader Jerusalem, and the strategic use of 'the power of images' by Islamic rulers, despite opposition from within the Islamic community, by adopting visuals of thrones and throne rooms.

Dimension: 290 x 205 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781803271606