Mesopotamia Religion

What was the primary reason Mesopotamians believed it was important to keep the gods happy?

• To make the gods more like humans

• To prevent bad things like sickness or bad luck

• To learn how to create art and architecture

• To make the gods control real and imaginary animals

How did the Mesopotamians' belief system influence their daily lives and culture?

• It caused them to build their homes with special objects inside

• It led them to live good lives and offer prayers

• It influenced their art, architecture, and work

• All of the answers are correct 

Mesopotamian religion was "polytheistic." Which of the following is the best definition of polytheism?

• The belief that gods and humans are exactly alike

• The belief that there is only one god

• The belief in many different gods and goddesses

• The belief that only the god of the sky is important 

If the gods became angry, what might they do to people?

• Make them create beautiful paintings and jewelry

• Send bad luck or evil spirits

• Take away the sun, moon, and stars

• Help them keep the world in order

Ishtar was the goddess of "love and war." What can you conclude about the importance of these two concepts to Mesopotamian culture?

• Mesopotamians did not see a connection between love and fighting.

• The Mesopotamians believed Ishtar was the most powerful god of all.

• They thought love was bad and war was good. 

• Love and war were seen as powerful forces in their lives, controlled by the gods.

Mesopotamians built temples and made special objects for their homes. What does this show about their respect for the gods?

• They actively and publicly showed their reverence for the gods.

• They feared the gods more than they respected them.

• They wanted to bargain with the gods for more power.

• They believed the gods were only important inside the temples. 

How did the Mesopotamian view of their gods, as being powerful but human-like, affect the way they interacted with them?

• They ignored the gods and focused on their own lives.

• They tried to be more powerful than the gods.

• They offered prayers and gifts to keep the gods happy and avoid angering them.

• They believed the gods only cared about other people, not them.

What is the main difference between the Mesopotamian gods and humans?

• Gods were more powerful and controlled natural elements.

• Gods were physically different from humans.

• Gods were always happy, while humans were sometimes angry.

• Gods were only real, while humans were both real and imaginary. 

Anu was the god of the sky and Enlil was the god of the wind. What does this specific assignment of gods to natural forces suggest about Mesopotamian beliefs?

• They did not understand how natural forces worked.

• They believed that the gods were limited to one specific function.

• They worshipped only Anu and Enlil, not the other gods mentioned.

• They believed that supernatural beings were in control of the world around them.

Considering that Mesopotamian beliefs "influenced other cultures around them," what conclusion can be drawn?

• Other cultures were forced to adopt Mesopotamian religion.

• The Mesopotamians had little to no impact on their neighbors.

• Ideas about gods and religion were often shared and spread between different civilizations.

• Other cultures were entirely isolated from Mesopotamian ideas.