Art, Writing, and Religion of

Mesopotamia

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Writing× The first form of writing is called cuneiform

× Most writing was done on clay tablets

× A writing utensil called a stylus was used to make wedge-like impressions

× Writing began as a way to keep records of food supply and for keeping track of the goods and services that were traded

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Writing Continued× Mesopotamians also began writing for enjoyment

or personal expression as they kept journals, wrote letters, and created stories.

× The first known written story is the story of Gilgamesh.

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GilgameshStory written about Gilgamesh, King of Urduk, who was a cruel ruler & worked his citizens ragged.

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Can you write your name?

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Overview of ReligionThere are three types of religions:

Polytheistic/Polytheism: a belief in many gods.

Monotheistic/ Monotheism: a belief in one god.

Atheistic/ Atheism: a belief that there is no god.

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Mesopotamia Religion

× Mesopotamians were polytheistic (believed in many gods)× Ziggurats (temples) were the main places of worship

Core Beliefs: -believed their purpose in life was to serve the god-believed statues of the god contained the actualpresence of the god-believed priests interpreted the will of the gods-believed gods and goddesses took human form -believed kings received their powers directly fromthe gods 8

Many GodsHere are a few….

1. Tiamat: goddess of the oceans

2. Enlil: lord of air (sky and atmosphere)

3. Enki (Ea): lord of the earth (creation, crafts, intelligence

and even magic)

4. Marduk: storm god (justice, healing, agriculture, and

magic)

5. Ishtar: goddess of beauty

6. Sin (Nanna): moon god

7. Shamash (Utu): god of sun and divine justice

8. Nisaba: grain goddess and goddess of scribes

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See. Wonder. Think.

See: What do you notice?

Wonder: What questions do you have?

Think: What do you think this is showing or represents?

Religion is often seen in the Artwork...

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Votive Statues are statues to represent a worshiper of a god or goddess.

Ancient Mesopotamians believed the gods could possess the statues to be with the people.

Other Artwork...

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