Religion
Anonymous
Religion
Sumerian religion had its roots in the worship of nature, such as the wind and water and animals. The ancient sages of Sumer found it necessary to bring order, to that which they did not understand. And to this end, they came to the natural conclusion that a greater force was at work. The forces of nature were originally worshipped, as entities onto themselves. However over time, the human form became associated with these forces. Gods in human form, were then seen as having control over nature. As in Egypt, figures with human bodies and animal heads are common.
Sumerian theologians believed that every intricacy of the cosmos, was controlled by a divine and immortal being, and that the cosmos adhered to established rules.
The world below was known as the nether world. The Sumerians believed that the souls of the dead, descended into the nether world from their graves. But there were also special entrances to the nether world, in the cities. A person could enter the nether world from one of these special entrances, but once there, could not leave, unless a substitute was found to take their place in the world below. A person entering the nether world must adhere to certain rules:
He must not make any noise.
He must not carry any weapons.
He must not wear clean clothes.
He must not behave in a normal manner towards his family.
He must not wear sandals.
He must not douse himself with "good" oil.
Failure to adhere to these rules would cause the person to
be held fast by the denizens of the nether world, until a god intervened on their behalf.
The gods of Sumer were human in form, and maintained human traits. They ate, drank, married, and fought amongst themselves. Even though the gods were immortal and all-powerful, it was apparent that under certain circumstances, they could still be hurt and even killed.
Each god adhered to a set of rules of divine authority, known as the "Me". The Me ensured that each god was able to keep the cosmos functioning, according to the plans handed down to them by the paramount god "Enlil".
Hundreds of deities were recognized in the Sumerian pantheon. Many of these were wives, children, and servants of the more powerful deities. The gods were organized into a caste system, at the head of this system were the kings or supreme gods. The four most important deities were An, Enlil, Enki, and Ninhursag. These were the four creator deities who created all of the other gods. "An" was initially the head of the pantheon, but he was eventually seceded by Enlil. Enlil was then seen as the most important god. He is known as "the king of heaven and earth," "the father of the gods," and "the king of all the gods". Enlil was thought to have developed the broad designs for the universe. However, it was Enki who further developed and carried out his plans. Ninhursag was regarded as the mother of all living beings.
Under the four creator deities, there was the group of seven gods, who "decree the fates." These were An, Enlil, Enki, Ninhursag, Nanna, Utu, and Inanna. These were then followed by the 50 "great gods" or the Annunaki, the children of An.
Sumerians believed that their role in the universe was to serve the gods. To this end, the ancient Sumerians devoted much of their time, to ensuring favor with the gods. This was done with worship and sacrifice. The high gods however, were believed to have more important things to do, than to attend to the common man's everyday prayers. And so personal gods were devised, as intermediaries between man, and the high gods. The personal gods listened to prayers and relayed them to the high gods.
Religion was an important part, of the daily life of a Sumerian citizen. Accordingly, the largest and most important
The world below was known as the nether world. The Sumerians believed that the souls of the dead, descended into the nether world from their graves. But there were also special entrances to the nether world, in the cities. A person could enter the nether world from one of these special entrances, but once there, could not leave, unless a substitute was found to take their place in the world below. A person entering the nether world must adhere to certain rules:
He must not make any noise.
He must not carry any weapons.
He must not wear clean clothes.
He must not behave in a normal manner towards his family.
He must not wear sandals.
He must not douse himself with "good" oil.
Failure to adhere to these rules would cause the person to
be held fast by the denizens of the nether world, until a god intervened on their behalf.
The gods of Sumer were human in form, and maintained human traits. They ate, drank, married, and fought amongst themselves. Even though the gods were immortal and all-powerful, it was apparent that under certain circumstances, they could still be hurt and even killed.
Each god adhered to a set of rules of divine authority, known as the "Me". The Me ensured that each god was able to keep the cosmos functioning, according to the plans handed down to them by the paramount god "Enlil".
Hundreds of deities were recognized in the Sumerian pantheon. Many of these were wives, children, and servants of the more powerful deities. The gods were organized into a caste system, at the head of this system were the kings or supreme gods. The four most important deities were An, Enlil, Enki, and Ninhursag. These were the four creator deities who created all of the other gods. "An" was initially the head of the pantheon, but he was eventually seceded by Enlil. Enlil was then seen as the most important god. He is known as "the king of heaven and earth," "the father of the gods," and "the king of all the gods". Enlil was thought to have developed the broad designs for the universe. However, it was Enki who further developed and carried out his plans. Ninhursag was regarded as the mother of all living beings.
Under the four creator deities, there was the group of seven gods, who "decree the fates." These were An, Enlil, Enki, Ninhursag, Nanna, Utu, and Inanna. These were then followed by the 50 "great gods" or the Annunaki, the children of An.
Sumerians believed that their role in the universe was to serve the gods. To this end, the ancient Sumerians devoted much of their time, to ensuring favor with the gods. This was done with worship and sacrifice. The high gods however, were believed to have more important things to do, than to attend to the common man's everyday prayers. And so personal gods were devised, as intermediaries between man, and the high gods. The personal gods listened to prayers and relayed them to the high gods.
Religion was an important part, of the daily life of a Sumerian citizen. Accordingly, the largest and most important