Subordination by Divine Hegemony In early historic times, the prevalent themes of interconnection and divergence synonymously thrived in the territorial kingdoms of Mesopotamia and Egypt. In the great river basins, the cultural aspects of life, most notably the behavioral patterns constructed through religion, aided the establishment of interrelations between the gods and humans. Successively, the predetermined roles of both the divine and mortals further developed the complex societies that burgeoned in the flood plains of the Tigris, Euphrates, and Nile rivers while synchronically infusing a doctrine of hegemony over those under subjugation by the deities. The flourishing landmass of the Mesopotamian river basin became the gateway for civilization
…show more content…
The cities that dotted the region of Mesopotamia reflected the way in which humans regarded the divine entities—with upmost reverence. Temples were located at the centers of each city with neighborhoods, agricultural areas, production buildings, and official buildings emanating around the temple, thus “gain[ing] status as religious and economic centers” (Tignor et al 3e, 52). In this way, the gods were able to emphasize and promulgate their authority over their subjects. What’s more, the inhabitants of every city took immense pride in the construction of such temples, giving close consideration to the physical arrangement of the god’s home. The sumptuous resources and adornments flaunted not only the god’s power but that of the city’s as well. For example, in the city of Eridu located in present-day southern Iraq, there stood an elaborately complex temple comprised of a legion of levels containing central …show more content…
In the Mesopotamian culture, humans were thought to have been created merely for worshipping and serving the deities. In return, the deities were responsible for controlling all aspects of life—including but not limited to “the weather, fertility, harvests, and the underworld”—especially taking part in the judgment of mortality (Tignor 3e, 52). The gods were characterized as being indolent, temperamental, and often belligerent. Thus, it became a paramount feature of daily routine to pay homage to the gods for divine protection and justice to be present in communal life. In the year 2200 BCE, an Akkadian father illustrates a list of guiding principles for his son to adhere to. He advises his son saying, “prayer, supplication, and prostration offer [god] daily, then your prayer will be granted, and you will be in harmony with god” (Akkadian Father, 1). The chronicle of Sargon, king of Agade or Akkad, acknowledges the power that the gods were capable of transferring to faithful subjects who were deemed deserving of such monumental authority. The account of Sargon’s reign is essentially a rags-to-riches narrative. The goddess Ishtar blesses Sargon and, consequently, he
The cities that dotted the region of Mesopotamia reflected the way in which humans regarded the divine entities—with upmost reverence. Temples were located at the centers of each city with neighborhoods, agricultural areas, production buildings, and official buildings emanating around the temple, thus “gain[ing] status as religious and economic centers” (Tignor et al 3e, 52). In this way, the gods were able to emphasize and promulgate their authority over their subjects. What’s more, the inhabitants of every city took immense pride in the construction of such temples, giving close consideration to the physical arrangement of the god’s home. The sumptuous resources and adornments flaunted not only the god’s power but that of the city’s as well. For example, in the city of Eridu located in present-day southern Iraq, there stood an elaborately complex temple comprised of a legion of levels containing central …show more content…
In the Mesopotamian culture, humans were thought to have been created merely for worshipping and serving the deities. In return, the deities were responsible for controlling all aspects of life—including but not limited to “the weather, fertility, harvests, and the underworld”—especially taking part in the judgment of mortality (Tignor 3e, 52). The gods were characterized as being indolent, temperamental, and often belligerent. Thus, it became a paramount feature of daily routine to pay homage to the gods for divine protection and justice to be present in communal life. In the year 2200 BCE, an Akkadian father illustrates a list of guiding principles for his son to adhere to. He advises his son saying, “prayer, supplication, and prostration offer [god] daily, then your prayer will be granted, and you will be in harmony with god” (Akkadian Father, 1). The chronicle of Sargon, king of Agade or Akkad, acknowledges the power that the gods were capable of transferring to faithful subjects who were deemed deserving of such monumental authority. The account of Sargon’s reign is essentially a rags-to-riches narrative. The goddess Ishtar blesses Sargon and, consequently, he