Asshur or Assur was originally an Assyrian Moon and War god of the city bearing his name. He may be a later development of Anshar. He later became head of a pantheon, occupying a position similar to Marduk. In fact, in Assyrian copies of the creation epic Enuma Elis, he replaces Marduk as the hero. Assyrians also identified him with Enlil, and a ziggurat named Enlil arattakisharra was built for Asshur-Enlil at Asshur. His temple at Asshur was named Betum Rimum, “House of the Wild Ox,” also known as the Enlil kur, “Mountain House,” like Enlil's temple at Nippur. His temple complex at Asshur, Enlil sharra, “House of the Universe,” dates from later in Assyrian history.
The Assyrians marched to battle under his emblem – a god in a horned cap, shooting an arrow from a bow and enclosed in a circle. This symbol was to be found in one form or another wherever the Assyrians spread.