The construct of Royal masculinity in the textual and visual sources of the Neo-Assyrian Empire

Abstract

In this study, I engage with the state arts and texts of the ancient Neo-Assyrian (911–612 B.C.E.) to examine the extent to which Neo-Assyrian kings relied on the proper construction and performance of hegemonic masculinity to negotiate and legitimate their exercise of rule. Methodologically, this multimodal study in the different media employed by Neo-Assyrian statecraft will employ the critical tools of Assyriology along with feminist theories and masculinities studies, archaeological, art historical and psychoanalytic critical paradigms, to analyse both visual and textual representations in order to trace the construction of masculinities not only of individual kings but also of the ‘monarchy’ and the ‘state hierarchy’ as expressions of shifting hegemonic masculinities. It will be shown that masculinities were central to the discourse and legitimation of rule, that the state and the ruler were entirely dependent on notions of masculinity expressed as virile military prowess in battle and in diplomatic encounters, domination over men and animals, as well as the management of the reproductive abilities of persons born with male genitals. This study will then focus on the late Sargonid reigns of Sennacherib (704–681 B.C.E.), Esarhaddon (680–669 B.C.E.) to discuss not only the longue durée of gender construction and performance but also to trace internal developments and reconfigurations which indicate that within the time frame of empire, masculinities were not monolithic but were, rather, constructed and performed differently depending not only on the socio-political circumstances of the time but also on the media at issue. References will also be made to other Neo-Assyrian sovereigns in general, and to Assurbanipal (668–630 B.C.E.) in particular. This study will also investigate the way royal masculinities were constructed through the contradictory discourse of symbiosis with and dominance over the Other, namely animals and castrated males. It is hoped that this study will not only elucidate the importance of masculinities as ideological state apparatuses and as tools for hegemonic ideology within the Neo-Assyrian Empire, but that it will initiate a dialogue on the role played by gender in general, and masculinities in particular, in the establishment and maintenance of political formations and imperial projects in past societies as well as today through the lens of the ancient Near East.