Mesopotamian Religion
By Rosie O'Grady, Lauren Zelisko, Alexander Cho, and Cullen Peterson
Welcome to Mesopotamians religion! The Mesopotamian culture is based off of religion, and there are many gods and goddesses. Each city is assigned a god and have priests and priestesses to make sacrifices and put many riches in the temples that contain the shrines for the gods.
Gods and their Jobs
All gods are very important in the Mesopotamian culture, but these are the main gods. The most important and worshiped god in the Sumerian culture is Anu the king of all gods, he is in charge of keeping all gods in check. Enlil is the god of wind storms and destiny. His job is to bring storms and wind after long droughts and famine, he also must create the destiny of everyone in the world. Shamash is the god of the sun. He brings the sun every morning and takes it away every night. Nanna also called Sin, is the god of the moon. He brings the moon every night and is the son of Enlil and Ninlil.
All gods are very important in the Mesopotamian culture, but these are the main gods. The most important and worshiped god in the Sumerian culture is Anu the king of all gods, he is in charge of keeping all gods in check. Enlil is the god of wind storms and destiny. His job is to bring storms and wind after long droughts and famine, he also must create the destiny of everyone in the world. Shamash is the god of the sun. He brings the sun every morning and takes it away every night. Nanna also called Sin, is the god of the moon. He brings the moon every night and is the son of Enlil and Ninlil.
![Picture](/uploads/2/4/1/2/24120314/4278560.jpeg?1382032010)
Ziggurats
A Ziggurat is an ancient Mesopotamian temple built with outside staircases and a shrine at the top. The Ziggurats were made to worship the gods and goddess of that city-state. Each city built a Ziggurat to honor their god or goddess that controlled their city. They were built in the center of each city and were protected with guards to keep away intruders.
A Ziggurat is an ancient Mesopotamian temple built with outside staircases and a shrine at the top. The Ziggurats were made to worship the gods and goddess of that city-state. Each city built a Ziggurat to honor their god or goddess that controlled their city. They were built in the center of each city and were protected with guards to keep away intruders.
How humans were created
One day the gods and goddesses were working very hard on creating the land. They decided that their work was very difficult, and went to their god, Enki, who was very wise, to see if there was anyway to make their work easier. That is when Enki made humans. Enki lived in an underwater mansion and took the clay from around him and breathed life into the clay. He didn't make them with everlasting lives, because of course the only people who could live forever were the gods and goddesses. He made the humans, and the humans did the work for the gods and goddesses. The humans worked very hard and brought life to land.
One day the gods and goddesses were working very hard on creating the land. They decided that their work was very difficult, and went to their god, Enki, who was very wise, to see if there was anyway to make their work easier. That is when Enki made humans. Enki lived in an underwater mansion and took the clay from around him and breathed life into the clay. He didn't make them with everlasting lives, because of course the only people who could live forever were the gods and goddesses. He made the humans, and the humans did the work for the gods and goddesses. The humans worked very hard and brought life to land.
How people worshipped
They had stone figures that were placed in Mesopotamian Temples by worshippers to stand in prayer on their behalf before the God or Goddess to whom the sanctuary was dedicated. The carved stone figures had their eyes wide open and their hands clasped in prayer. Mesopotamian's worshipped hundreds of gods, each with his/her own name and sphere of activity. Every city had its own patron god or goodness, and there were also deities connected with various professions.
They had stone figures that were placed in Mesopotamian Temples by worshippers to stand in prayer on their behalf before the God or Goddess to whom the sanctuary was dedicated. The carved stone figures had their eyes wide open and their hands clasped in prayer. Mesopotamian's worshipped hundreds of gods, each with his/her own name and sphere of activity. Every city had its own patron god or goodness, and there were also deities connected with various professions.
Who Was Responsible for pleasing the Gods
The priests and priestesses were the only ones who could stay in the ziggurat temples overnight besides the god of that city. They were responsible for bringing many riches and jewels for the gods, they also made human and animal sacrifices to feed the gods so good weather and fortune would shine upon the city or village. The city and the villages around the ziggurat would often come and bring paintings making the gods and goddesses look very rich and powerful. The priests would then display the paintings in front of the shrine to the god/goddess to show extreme affection. The gods to the Mesopotamian people were like kings and queens of the universe and could kill anything with just a flick of finger. The priests and priestesses were in charge of giving anyone and anything to the gods/goddesses.
The priests and priestesses were the only ones who could stay in the ziggurat temples overnight besides the god of that city. They were responsible for bringing many riches and jewels for the gods, they also made human and animal sacrifices to feed the gods so good weather and fortune would shine upon the city or village. The city and the villages around the ziggurat would often come and bring paintings making the gods and goddesses look very rich and powerful. The priests would then display the paintings in front of the shrine to the god/goddess to show extreme affection. The gods to the Mesopotamian people were like kings and queens of the universe and could kill anything with just a flick of finger. The priests and priestesses were in charge of giving anyone and anything to the gods/goddesses.
Compare and contrasting religions
Back then
Today
Back then
- Religion in Sumner and the other city-states had very similar religions
- The religions had the same kind of god, but not the same god of their city
- All of the cities had a ziggurat to worship their god/goddess
Today
- People are separated into different religions who are monotheistic or polytheistic
- There are many different religions
- People go to church instead of ziggurats
5 Review Questions
1. What god was in charge of bringing the sun to every morning and taking it away every night?
2. Who were the only people that were allowed to stay over night in the ziggurats?
3. How many gods or goddesses were assigned to one ziggurat?
4. What is the other name for the god called Nanna?
5. Why weren't humans made with everlasting lives?
1. What god was in charge of bringing the sun to every morning and taking it away every night?
2. Who were the only people that were allowed to stay over night in the ziggurats?
3. How many gods or goddesses were assigned to one ziggurat?
4. What is the other name for the god called Nanna?
5. Why weren't humans made with everlasting lives?