Mesopotamian ReligionMesopotamian Religion

► LegendLegend: a story retold from the past that is widely : a story retold from the past that is widely accepted as true.accepted as true.

► Mesopotamian gods were Mesopotamian gods were ANTHROPOMORPHICANTHROPOMORPHIC (They (They looked like human beings) and since there were many looked like human beings) and since there were many of them, their religion was of them, their religion was POLYTHEISTICPOLYTHEISTIC. (Many . (Many gods)gods)

► Each of the four main city-states adopted one another’s Each of the four main city-states adopted one another’s gods and added their own, believing that they lived in gods and added their own, believing that they lived in the sky or on high mountains. They also believed that the sky or on high mountains. They also believed that they came down to visit earth.they came down to visit earth.

► To house them, high temples called To house them, high temples called zigguratsziggurats were were built.built.

Social OrganizationSocial Organization

the kingthe king

The Priests

The Scribes

Merchants and Artisans

The Common People

The Slaves

► PriestsPriests were influential because religion was key. They also were influential because religion was key. They also ran the schools where scribes were trained.ran the schools where scribes were trained.

► ScribesScribes, usually sons of the wealthy, could read and write., usually sons of the wealthy, could read and write.

► Merchants & ArtisansMerchants & Artisans were traders and craft makers. were traders and craft makers.

► Common PeopleCommon People were farmers. were farmers.

► Slaves Slaves were labourers with only one name and no rights.were labourers with only one name and no rights.

* if a slave was injured, the master received the * if a slave was injured, the master received the compensation – not the slave *compensation – not the slave *

Everyday LifeEveryday Life

The FamilyThe Family

► Fathers were the master and owner of everything. They could Fathers were the master and owner of everything. They could use their children to pay off debts.use their children to pay off debts.

► Women had more rights in Mesopotamia than anywhere else… Women had more rights in Mesopotamia than anywhere else… they could even own land or run a business!they could even own land or run a business!

► MonogamyMonogamy (having only one wife) was the norm, but some men (having only one wife) was the norm, but some men would keep secondary wives (concubines) around the house.would keep secondary wives (concubines) around the house.

EducationEducation► Wealthy boys would attend school from sunrise to sunset after the Wealthy boys would attend school from sunrise to sunset after the

age of eight. age of eight. ► Beatings were common.Beatings were common.

Read pages 58-61 and answer #1 and #4 on pg. Read pages 58-61 and answer #1 and #4 on pg. 61. 61.

Compare and contrast the lives, education, Compare and contrast the lives, education, differences between classes, and building differences between classes, and building techniques, of ancient Mesopotamia (and the techniques, of ancient Mesopotamia (and the roles of men/women, the wealthy/common) to roles of men/women, the wealthy/common) to that of today (or the last couple generations that of today (or the last couple generations here).here).

Mesopotamian EconomyMesopotamian Economy

The first to use animals and build dams and canals to control the The first to use animals and build dams and canals to control the floods, agriculture was the key to Mesopotamian success.floods, agriculture was the key to Mesopotamian success.

1/3 of a farmers food went to the ziggurats to feed to gods. 1/3 1/3 of a farmers food went to the ziggurats to feed to gods. 1/3 went to the king. The final 1/3 was theirs, but they were taxed on went to the king. The final 1/3 was theirs, but they were taxed on the profits!the profits!

Trade was conducted mostly by boats traveling up and down the Trade was conducted mostly by boats traveling up and down the Tigris and Euphrates rivers.Tigris and Euphrates rivers.

LiteratureLiterature (a stylus)(a stylus)

Cuneiform was spread far and wide with the great traders who Cuneiform was spread far and wide with the great traders who used it to keep records of sales and purchases.used it to keep records of sales and purchases.

MosaicsMosaics were often used to tell a story as well. (see page 69) were often used to tell a story as well. (see page 69)

ReliefRelief carvings were also an important art form. ( A sculpture in carvings were also an important art form. ( A sculpture in which figures stand out from the surface on which they are cut. )which figures stand out from the surface on which they are cut. )

Relief carvingsRelief carvings