Akitu

Akitu is an ancient Mesopotamian festival. The name itself means "barley" in the Sumerian language, highlighting its agricultural origins. Historically, it was a New Year celebration, typically observed in the spring. The festival was deeply intertwined with religious beliefs and royal legitimacy. Its most prominent location was the city of Babylon, where it was a major event.

The Akitu festival spanned several days, usually eleven, and involved elaborate rituals and processions. A key element was the procession of the god Marduk, the patron deity of Babylon, from his main temple, Esagila, to a special Akitu house located outside the city walls. This journey symbolized a cosmic renewal and the re-establishment of Marduk's authority. During the festival, the king would participate in a ritual where he would be stripped of his regalia and struck on the cheek. If he shed tears, it was considered a sign that the gods were pleased and would grant prosperity for the coming year. The king also recited a creation epic, further reinforcing the cosmic order.

The festival served to reaffirm the king's divine mandate to rule and to ensure the fertility of the land and the prosperity of the kingdom. It was a time of purification, renewal, and reaffirmation of the relationship between the gods, the king, and the people. The precise details and observance of Akitu evolved over centuries of Mesopotamian history, but its core significance as a New Year and royal legitimization festival remained.