What was the purpose of the ziggurat in ancient Mesopotamia?

The ziggurat was the site of worship for the god of the city. The temple at the top of the ziggurat was understood as the god's earthly home.

When were ziggurats built and used?

Ziggurats were built and used in ancient Mesopotamia from at least c. 3000 BCE until c. 500 BCE when Zoroastrianism changed the model of worship in the region.

What does the ziggurat symbolize?

The ziggurat symbolizes a mountain. It is an artificial mountain built to elevate the priests toward the realm of the gods.

What is the most famous ziggurat?

The most famous ziggurat is the Etemenaki at Babylon (no longer extant), which is thought to have inspired the story of the Tower of Babel in the biblical Book of Genesis. The Great Ziggurat of Ur is also well-known, however, as is Chogha Zanbil, the ruins of both still extant.

A Gallery of Ziggurats of Ancient Mesopotamia (Image Gallery) p. 14

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by Joshua J. Mark
published on 16 July 2024

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Ziggurat Consecrated to God Inshushinak at Choqa Zanbil

by Katarina Maruskinova
published on 08 November 2015

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Ziggurat Consecrated to God Inshushinak at Choqa Zanbil — View Full-Size Image

Ziggurat at Chogha Zanbil consecrated to the God Inshushinak. Inshushinak was one of the most important Elamite deities, worshipped in Susa and Khuzestan region during the Middle Elamite Period.

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Questions & Answers

What was the purpose of the ziggurat in ancient Mesopotamia?: The ziggurat was the site of worship for the god of the city. The temple at the top of the ziggurat was understood as the god's earthly home.
When were ziggurats built and used?: Ziggurats were built and used in ancient Mesopotamia from at least c. 3000 BCE until c. 500 BCE when Zoroastrianism changed the model of worship in the region.
What does the ziggurat symbolize?: The ziggurat symbolizes a mountain. It is an artificial mountain built to elevate the priests toward the realm of the gods.
What is the most famous ziggurat?: The most famous ziggurat is the Etemenaki at Babylon (no longer extant), which is thought to have inspired the story of the Tower of Babel in the biblical Book of Genesis. The Great Ziggurat of Ur is also well-known, however, as is Chogha Zanbil, the ruins of both still extant.

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External Links

The Museum Journal | The Ziggurat of Ur

penn.museum

The Great Ziggurat of Ur

defense.gov

Ziggurat at Babylon

mit.edu

Ancient Mesopotamia: The Ziggurat

ducksters.com

Ziggurat of Ur, Smarthistory

smarthistory.org

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