The kings do not feel as close to them as to Marduk, or to Ashur, or even to the sun-god, or to the moon-god.

The invocation of the triad partakes more of a formal character, as though in giving to these three gods the first place, the writers felt that they were following an ancient precedent that had more of a theoretical than a practical value for their days.

So among Assyrian rulers, Ashur-rish-ishi (_c._ 1150 B.C.) derives his right to the throne from the authority with which he is invested by the triad.

Again, in the formal curses which the kings called down upon the destroyers of the inscriptions or statues that they set up, the appeal to Anu, Bel, and Ea is made.

Ashurnasirbal calls upon the triad not to listen to the prayers of such as deface his monuments.
Sargon has an interesting statement in one of his inscriptions, according to which the names of the months were fixed by Anu, Bel, and Ea.