Question

What do ancient stories tell us about the civilisation of Mesopotamia?

Answer 1

Literature is one of the most important sources to study the past. It helps us to peep into the past and get a glimpse of the ideas, cultures and practices of the bygone era. The two most important pieces of literature or stories that throw some light on the Mesopotamian civilisation have been discussed below.

1) The Bible: There are several biblical references to Mesopotamia, which, over time, have aroused the interest of historians and archaeologists to unearth the long lost civilisation. The Old Testament notes down the location of Mesopotamia and refers to it as the kingdom between the rivers Euphrates and Tigris. It also speaks of a brick-built city named Shimar, which historians have inferred as Sumer.

The Bible also helps us to gather information about the population composition of the region. Genesis 11; (Acts 7:2) of the Old Testament mentions that the northern part of the plain of Aram or Syria was inhabited by the ancestors of the Hebrews.

2) Epic of Gilgamesh: The Epic of Gilgamesh is a rich source to learn about the religious life of the people of Mesopotamia. The epic states that the people of Mesopotamia were highly religious. All aspects of their lives, including life, death and love, were associated with one god or goddess. There is a reference to the goddess of creation Aruru and the god of heaven Anu.

The religious beliefs of Mesopotamians also designed their notion of the afterlife. After death, one could move to either hell or heaven. The heaven guaranteed all pleasures, while the hell was a sanctum of darkness.