"as the gods were understood as the true monarchs and the king as simply their steward. In order to maintain his authority, the king needed to court the goodwill of the gods, and although they made their approval clear through military victories, bountiful harvests, and prosperous trade, events such as the Akitu festival provided an annual opportunity for the divine to continue its relationship with the ruling house or withdraw its favor."
"Festivals in ancient Mesopotamia honored the patron deity of a city-state or the primary god of the city that controlled a region or empire. The earliest, the Akitu festival, was first observed in Sumer in the Early Dynastic period (circa 2900-2350/2334 BCE) and continued through the Seleucid period (312-63 BCE) along with other religious celebrations. As there was no concept of separation of religion and politics, festivals also served a political purpose in uniting a king's subjects in honoring his god."
Festivals in ancient Mesopotamia honored the patron deity of a city-state or the primary god of a ruling city and marked religious and civic occasions. The Akitu festival originated in Sumer during the Early Dynastic period (circa 2900–2350/2334 BCE) and persisted through the Seleucid period alongside other observances. Celebrations marked New Year, divine birthdays, mythic events, mourning rites, military victories, agricultural cycles, royal coronations, royal births, and dedications of major buildings. Rituals intertwined divine favor with political authority because the gods were regarded as true monarchs and kings as their stewards. Annual festivals reinforced the king's legitimacy by publicly showing the patron god's approval. Later Parthian and Sassanian festivals show Mesopotamian influence.
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