The Ancient Mesopotamian's were polytheistic, which means they believe in multiple Gods. As well as Gods and Goddesses, they also believed in creatures such as demons, monsters and evil spirits which were created by the Gods. The Ancient Mesopotamians worshiped these beings to keep them happy. It was thought that if the beings were happy, the Gods would provide ample amounts of resources, sunshine and prevent hardships from occurring int he community. On the other hand it is though that the root of all suffering stems from the Gods discontent with the people. If the God were angered and became displeased as result of respecting them or completing their duties, the people of Ancient Mesopotamia would endure punishment. This punishment came in the form of natural disasters such as earthquakes, droughts, floods, famines or locust infestations. In Ancient Mesopotamia good and evil existed through the Gods who could possess both these traits. It could be said that the reason the Ancient Mesopotamians lived was to please, serve and to live in harmony with the Gods.
Each city had its own patron deity. Everything and everyone in the city was thought to have been the patron deities property. The patron deity protected the city and all its people if the people fulfilled their duties. A large temple or Ziggurat is often built In the most central part of the city as a place to worship the patron deity. These Temples and Ziggurats were thought to be the place where the Gods resided. The city's priests would live here and make sacrifices to the Gods.
Ancient Mesopotamian suggests that you can live out your life purpose but fulfilling your duties set to you by the Gods. On a visit to the temple or Ziggurat, the priests who are believed to be associates with the Gods can inform the people of Mesopotamia of the Gods wishes. Due to this reason, priests became a part of the higher classes in Ancient Mesopotamian social hierarchy. The priests were responsible for the sacrifices and rituals that were essential in an effort to please the Gods.
Although thousands of Gods existed in Ancient Mesopotamian Religion, There were four creator Gods who created the universe and all other Gods. These all powerful Gods were Anu, Enil, Ninhusag and Enki. The most commonly worshiped Gods in Mesopotamia are as follows:
Anu
Occasionally referred too as An, Anu. The city associated with Anu was Uruk. He was the god of the heavens and overall king of the gods. The city associated with Anu was Uruk.
Enlil
Enlil watched over the town of Nippur and wore a crown with horns. He was the god of air, wind, and storms, and held the Tablets of Destiny. These tablets made him extremely powerful and gave him the ability to control the fate of man. He wore a crown with horns.
Enki
Enki was the god of wisdom, intellect, and magic but more importantly the shaper of the world. He invented the plough and was responsible for making plants grow. He is drawn holding Zu, the storm bird. He was god of the city of Eridu.
Utu
Utu god of the sun and also the god of justice and the law. Utu is drawn holding a saw like instrument. According to mythologists, Utu traveled across the world each day in a chariot.
Inanna
Inanna was the goddess of love and war. The city she looked upon was Uruk, but she was also prominent in the city of Babylon. Her symbol is a star with eight points.
Nanna
Nanna was also recognised by the name sin and was the god of the moon. He resided in the city of Ur.
Each city had its own patron deity. Everything and everyone in the city was thought to have been the patron deities property. The patron deity protected the city and all its people if the people fulfilled their duties. A large temple or Ziggurat is often built In the most central part of the city as a place to worship the patron deity. These Temples and Ziggurats were thought to be the place where the Gods resided. The city's priests would live here and make sacrifices to the Gods.
Ancient Mesopotamian suggests that you can live out your life purpose but fulfilling your duties set to you by the Gods. On a visit to the temple or Ziggurat, the priests who are believed to be associates with the Gods can inform the people of Mesopotamia of the Gods wishes. Due to this reason, priests became a part of the higher classes in Ancient Mesopotamian social hierarchy. The priests were responsible for the sacrifices and rituals that were essential in an effort to please the Gods.
Although thousands of Gods existed in Ancient Mesopotamian Religion, There were four creator Gods who created the universe and all other Gods. These all powerful Gods were Anu, Enil, Ninhusag and Enki. The most commonly worshiped Gods in Mesopotamia are as follows:
Anu
Occasionally referred too as An, Anu. The city associated with Anu was Uruk. He was the god of the heavens and overall king of the gods. The city associated with Anu was Uruk.
Enlil
Enlil watched over the town of Nippur and wore a crown with horns. He was the god of air, wind, and storms, and held the Tablets of Destiny. These tablets made him extremely powerful and gave him the ability to control the fate of man. He wore a crown with horns.
Enki
Enki was the god of wisdom, intellect, and magic but more importantly the shaper of the world. He invented the plough and was responsible for making plants grow. He is drawn holding Zu, the storm bird. He was god of the city of Eridu.
Utu
Utu god of the sun and also the god of justice and the law. Utu is drawn holding a saw like instrument. According to mythologists, Utu traveled across the world each day in a chariot.
Inanna
Inanna was the goddess of love and war. The city she looked upon was Uruk, but she was also prominent in the city of Babylon. Her symbol is a star with eight points.
Nanna
Nanna was also recognised by the name sin and was the god of the moon. He resided in the city of Ur.
Belief in the Afterlife
Beliefs and ideas about the afterlife in Ancient Mesopotamia have changed and developed over time.The Ancient Mesopotamians believed that when a person died they deserve a funeral, grave, and an inscribed headstone, similar to Western cultures. When a burial is taking place the words "You are dust, and to dust you shall return" are spoken and recognises how humans were created, from clay and the slain God, We-ilu. Practices and rituals relating to the afterlife differed with the people's economic status.
The Ancient Mesopotamians believed that death was not the ultimate end to life. Instead they believed people continued existing as a spirit, similar to a ghost. Therefore, death was considered to be a transitionary stage in which humans transformed from one state of existence to another.
They also believed in a place called the 'Netherworld'. The Netherworld was described as the opposite of heaven, and was shadowy version of life on earth which is often said is the "house which none leaves who enters'". This "land of no return" is said to be located a short distance under the earths surface, but thousands of miles away from human reality. The Ancient Mesopotamians believe in the Netherworld one did not experience great misery or joy and it was just dull version of life on earth. It must be said that the Ancient Mesopotamians didn't believe the Netherworld was similar to hell. It wasn't a place of punishment where spirits were sent to based on their behaviour in their human life. The Netherworld simply existed as an otherworldy destination for the spirits of the dead to go after their bodies had been buried.
The Ancient Mesopotamians believed that death was not the ultimate end to life. Instead they believed people continued existing as a spirit, similar to a ghost. Therefore, death was considered to be a transitionary stage in which humans transformed from one state of existence to another.
They also believed in a place called the 'Netherworld'. The Netherworld was described as the opposite of heaven, and was shadowy version of life on earth which is often said is the "house which none leaves who enters'". This "land of no return" is said to be located a short distance under the earths surface, but thousands of miles away from human reality. The Ancient Mesopotamians believe in the Netherworld one did not experience great misery or joy and it was just dull version of life on earth. It must be said that the Ancient Mesopotamians didn't believe the Netherworld was similar to hell. It wasn't a place of punishment where spirits were sent to based on their behaviour in their human life. The Netherworld simply existed as an otherworldy destination for the spirits of the dead to go after their bodies had been buried.