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Gods, Goddesses, Demons and Monsters

Gods, Goddesses, Demons and Monsters. Ziggurat . Temples and Priests.

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Gods, Goddesses, Demons and Monsters

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  1. Gods, Goddesses, Demons and Monsters

  2. Ziggurat

  3. Temples and Priests

  4. Although such theories remain speculation, a few scholars saythat the Ziggurat shape of Sumer heralded from a previous nomadic existence in the mountains, therefore inspiring the shape of the temple's "hill-like" appearance. • Temples within each city remained self-sufficient. • The ziggurat structure housed granaries, mills, bakeries, breweries, offices, potteries, treasure rooms, armories, and livestock. • Accountants cataloged grain and foodstuffs and recorded taxes owed by leased parcels of lands; dancers and musicians entertained, artists sculpted pottery and ritual idol statues for temple worship, servants and cooks prepared meals and cleaned. • Hundreds of temple shepherds, herdsman and farmers tended cattle and fields exclusively owned by the temple grounds.

  5. The Ancient Sumerians worshipped many different gods and goddesses. They thought that the gods influenced much of what happened to them in their lives. Babylonian and Assyrian religion was heavily influenced by the Sumerians.  Shamash - Mesopotamian Sun god A God for Each CityEach city had its own god. At the center of the city was a large temple or ziggurat built to that god. This was where the priests would live and make sacrifices. Some of the ziggurats were huge and reached great heights. They looked like step pyramids with a flat top. .

  6. Sumerian GodsSome of the Sumerian gods and goddesses included: • Anu - Sometimes called An, Anu was the god of the heavens and king of the gods. The city associated with Anu was Uruk. • Enlil - The god of air, wind, and storms, Enlil held the Tablets of Destiny. These tablets gave him control over the fate of man and made him very powerful. He wore a crown with horns. He was associated with the city of Nippur. • Enki - Enki was the shaper of the world as well as god of wisdom, intellect, and magic. 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 - The god of the sun as well as justice and the law, Utu is drawn holding a saw like instrument. Mythology says that Utu travels across the world each day in a chariot. • Inanna - Inanna was the goddess of love and war. Her symbol is a star with eight points. Her primary city was Uruk, but she was also prominent in the city of Babylon. • Nanna - Nanna was also called Sin. He was god of the moon. His home was the city of Ur.

  7. Gods, Goddesses, Demons & Monsters • The Mesopotamian scribes compiled long lists of their gods. • There were hundreds of gods who were responsible for every thing in the world, from rivers and mountains to making bread or pottery. • The gods were known by different names depending on whether the scribes wrote Sumerian or Akkadian. • The following list of the most important gods, goddesses, demons and monsters uses their Akkadian names with their Sumerian names in brackets.

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