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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
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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?
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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.
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Other Artwork...
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