Mesopotamian Society and Beliefs

Who was considered the highest authority in Mesopotamian society?

Which group in Mesopotamia was primarily responsible for recording taxes and controlling product quality?

What role did women typically have in Mesopotamian society?

Which of the following deities was recognized as the god of the wind in Mesopotamian beliefs?

What primary economic activity did merchants engage in within Mesopotamia?

Mesopotamian Society

A privileged minority comprised a small group, with high wealth and rights.
The king held positions of both monarch and high priest, residing in the palace.
Aristocrats, comprising the royal family and nobility, owned large estates.
Priests led religious ceremonies, residing in temples with land holdings.
Scribes served as officials, controlling product quality and recording taxes.

Rest of the Population

The majority consisted of free or enslaved individuals.
Peasants worked on land owned by the king or temples, receiving a portion of the harvest.
Craftspeople produced goods like textiles, perfumes, wood, and metal in workshops.
Merchants facilitated trade through river ports, bartering various goods like silver, copper, etc.
Women were subordinate to men, expected to have children and needing permission for work, receiving half the pay of a male counterpart for the same work.

Mesopotamian Beliefs

Mesopotamians practiced polytheism, believing in multiple gods.
Anu was the sky god, Ishtar was the goddess of war and love, and Enlil was the wind god.
Gods were perceived as powerful personalities, revealed through nature, dreams, or prophecies.
Each city-state worshipped a patron deity, and ceremonies were held in their temples.

Explore the structured hierarchy of Mesopotamian society, from the privileged aristocrats to the working peasants and craftsmen. Learn about the roles of various groups and the religious beliefs that shaped their culture. This quiz covers aspects of wealth distribution, gender roles, and religious practices in ancient Mesopotamia.