Mesopotamia in the Old Testament

10 Questions

What was a consequence of people throwing their household refuse into the streets in ancient Mesopotamia?

Street levels rose, and house thresholds had to be raised to prevent mud from flowing inside after rains.

How did light enter the rooms of ancient Mesopotamian houses?

Through doorways opening into courtyards.

What was believed to bring wealth to a household in ancient Mesopotamia, according to superstition?

A raised threshold.

What was considered unlucky in ancient Mesopotamian house architecture?

A main wooden door that opened outwards instead of inwards.

How did the layout of ancient Mesopotamian houses contribute to family privacy?

Doorways opening into courtyards allowed for natural light and ventilation while maintaining privacy.

What was the significance of a front door that did not open towards another house in ancient Mesopotamia?

It was considered lucky.

How did the urban layout of ancient Mesopotamian cities impact daily life?

Narrow, winding streets and alleys required raised thresholds and courtyard doors, affecting household dynamics and daily routines.

What was the practical purpose of raised thresholds in ancient Mesopotamian houses?

To prevent mud from flowing inside after rains.

What is the significance of omen tablets at Ur in the context of ancient Mesopotamian architecture and design?

They recorded superstitions related to house architecture and design.

How did the architecture of ancient Mesopotamian houses reflect social and cultural norms?

It prioritized privacy, natural light, and superstition-based design choices.

Study Notes

Mesopotamia's Significance to Europeans

Mesopotamia was important to Europeans due to references to it in the Old Testament, specifically the Book of Genesis, which mentions Sumer as a land of brick-built cities.
Europeans viewed Mesopotamia as a kind of ancestral land, leading to archaeological efforts to prove the literal truth of the Old Testament.

The Flood Story

The Bible recounts the Flood as a divine event meant to destroy all life on earth, with Noah chosen to ensure the survival of life.
Noah built an ark, taking a pair of each known species of animals and birds on board, which survived the Flood.
A similar story exists in Mesopotamian tradition, featuring a character called Ziusudra or Utnapishtim.
Many societies have myths about floods, often used to preserve and express memories about important changes in history.

Mesopotamia's Geography

Iraq, the location of Mesopotamia, has diverse environments, including green plains, tree-covered mountain ranges, and a desert region.
The north-east region is suitable for agriculture, with rainfall sufficient to grow crops.
The north features a steppe, where animal herding is a more viable livelihood than agriculture.
The eastern region has tributaries of the Tigris, providing routes of communication into the mountains of Iran.

The Emergence of Cities and Writing

The first cities and writing emerged in the southern desert region, where the rivers Euphrates and Tigris deposit fertile silt.
The rivers' flooding and irrigation made the desert region suitable for city development.
The city layout featured winding streets, blind alleys, and raised thresholds, with houses built around courtyards to provide privacy and light.

Superstitions and Omen Tablets

Ancient Mesopotamians had superstitions about houses, recorded in omen tablets at Ur.
For example, a raised threshold was believed to bring wealth, while a front door that did not open towards another house was considered lucky.