Ashur (god) - Wikipedia
In the Old Assyrian period, the kings never assumed the title of king, instead referring to themselves as the governor (iššiak) or city ruler (rubā’um), reserving the title of king instead for Ashur.[9] Pongratz-Leisten notes that similar cases could be found in Pre-Sargonic Lagash, where the kings of Lagash designated themselves as the ENSI (governor) of Lagash, and also in Eshnunna, especially since the early kings of Eshnunna addressed Tishpak with titles traditionally associated with kings such as “king of the four corners.”[10] However, in the Old Assyrian Period the king was not yet the chief priest of Ashur.[11]
The earliest expression of the god Ashur being the king of the city with the ruler being his representative was in Silulu’s seal, where the opening lines were “Ashur is king, Silulu is the governor (iššiak) of Assur.”
In Jayne’s conception, the Assyrians would have had a different consciousness than we do, in that one of the voices in their heads would be taken to be the voice of Ashur.