Mythology of the Middle East

General Overview Texts date back to 2,500 Some of the oldest texts ever discovered

Mesopotamia Located between the Tigris and Euphrates Rivers in modern-day Iraq http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w8v2vRlLL58&feature =related

Mesopotamia Name derived from an ancient Greek term meaning “the land between rivers” By 5000 BC people had settled the southern portion of the river valley Mesopotamian life flourished thanks to the practice of farming Land is extremely fertile Rain is inconstant Use of irrigation

Mesopotamia Develop cities 4000-3500 BC Cities were a center of their lives Built Ziggurats – stepped tower Major cities include Sumer and Babylon Poorer families seldom had meat, whereas wealthier families ate it regularly. Beef, lamb, pork, goat, ducks, and geese were the meats of choice. Fish, turtles, and shellfish were plentiful in the rivers and canals. Grain  Barley and Wheat porridge or ground into flour and baked as unleavened bread.

Mesopotamian Religion Used statues to maintain constant reverence Worshipped hundreds of gods http://www.mesopotamia.co.uk/gods/explore/exp_set.html Anu – father of the gods; god of the sky Enlil – god of the air Utu – god of the sun and truth and justice Nanna – moon god Inanna – goddess of love and war Ninhursag – goddess of the earth Enki – god of fresh water, wisdom, and magic People felt little to no connection to these deities Depended on a relationship with their own personal god

Mesopotamian Literature Includes their myths, epics, folktales, prayers, hymns, proverbs, personal letters, and fables The Epic of Gilgamesh The Code of Hammurabi

Modern Influence Modern literature still contains references People seem to be more fascinated with ancient Egypt than anything else

Persia Middle Eastern empire

Persia Major cities include Persepolis, Susa, and Pasargadae Located in Modern-day Iran Lavish culture both in life and in death Believe in one major god with other helper gods Ahura Mazda – the great god Mithra – god of the sun Anahita – goddess of all waters Ahriman – god of evil in conflict with Ahura Mazda

Egypt Developed around 4000-3000 BC along the Nile river

Egyptian Religion http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KUC2F0hf5Mc - intro to their religion http://www.ancientegypt.co.uk/gods/explore/main.ht ml - list of gods

Egyptian Literature Devoted to the myths surrounding their gods and goddesses Tombs contained directions to the underworld Loved stories of adventure, folk tales, poetry, fairy tales, and biographies.