Society and Religion MESOPOTAMIA

Analyze This Picture

With Your Neighbor, Think About This… What does this Image say about Mesopotamian Society? Based on the Image, What might life be like for the people at the top of the Image? What might life be like for the people at the bottom of the Image?

Key Terms Cuneiform: The system of writing used by the ancient Sumerians Scribe: A person paid to write, especially in ancient times Stylus: A hard, pointed writing tool cut from a reed

Key Terms Ziggurat: The temples of Mesopotamia. At the top of each Ziggurat there were “Shrines” where the King and the Priests would stay. Poly: Many Theism: A belief in the existance of a God or Gods Polytheism: The belief in many Gods.

From Journey Through History Questions How did people trade with each other and pay taxes long ago? What is life like as a trader in Mesopotamia? Why was writing important in Mesopotamia? Describe the Epic of Gilgamesh. Is this story like any other story you’ve ever heard?

Epic of Gilgamesh Describe the Epic of Gilgamesh. Is this story like any other story you’ve ever heard?

Comprehension Questions 1) The major cities of ancient Mesopotamia were located A) in the Zagros Mountains B) on the Persian Gulf coast C) along the Euphrates and Tigris Rivers D) in the eastern part of present-day Syria

Comprehension Questions 2) What is the name of the earliest piece of written literature that still survives today? A) The Epic of Gilgamesh B) The Elegy for Enkidu C) The Ode to Ishtar D) The Ballad of the Babylonian Wars

Comprehension Questions 3) Which statement best describes slavery in ancient Mesopotamia? A) In ancient Mesopotamia, all slaves belonged to one specific ethnic group. B) In ancient Mesopotamia, only people at the top of the social pyramid were allowed to own slaves. C) In ancient Mesopotamia, an individual could become a slave in one of several different ways. D) In ancient Mesopotamia, a person could only become a slave if captured during a war.

Comprehension Questions 4) A Mesopotamian government official is jealous of the power and attention bestowed upon the king, and the official wants to damage the status and influence of the king. Based on Mesopotamian religious beliefs, which action would have been most effective in damaging the influence of the king? A) encouraging temple priests to distribute the gods’ grain to poor people B) paying criminals to deface statues of the king located in public places C) calling into question the gods’ approval of the king’s decisions D) sabotaging construction of the king’s burial tomb