Definition

Noun 1. Chief god of the Assyrians; god of military prowess and empire: Ashir (also spelled Ashur) was the principal deity of the ancient Assyrian pantheon, associated with warfare, imperial power, and the state. He is identified with the Babylonian god Anshar.

Usage Notes

• "Ashir" is a proper noun, the name of a specific deity. It is always capitalized.
• This term is used primarily in historical, religious, and archaeological contexts when discussing ancient Mesopotamian mythology and Assyrian culture.
• The more common transliteration from Akkadian is Ashur, which is also the name of the Assyrian people and their capital city.

Examples

• The ancient Assyrians built grand temples to worship Ashir.
• Ashir was believed to guide the Assyrian kings to victory in battle.
• In mythology, Ashir was sometimes identified with the Babylonian god Anshar.

Advanced Usage

• Cult of Ashir: Refers to the religious practices and priesthood dedicated to this god.
  • The cult of Ashir was central to Assyrian state religion.

Variants and Related Words

• Ashur (n): The more frequently used English spelling for the same Assyrian god. Also refers to the ancient capital city of Assyria and the Assyrian people themselves.
• Anshar (n): The Babylonian primordial god identified with Ashir/Ashur in some syncretic traditions.

Synonyms

• National deity
• Patron god (specifically of Assyria)

Notes on Different Meanings

This word has one primary meaning as a proper noun for a specific historical deity. It should not be confused with the common English word "ash" or its derivatives.

Noun

1. chief god of the Assyrians; god of military prowess and empire; identified with Babylonian Anshar