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Statue of Priest Bano Abdo from Hatra
Statue of the priest Bano Abdo from Hatra. The statue’s base is inscribed with an Aramaic text. The man has a long beard and an upward-curling mustache. He looks forward and wears a long conical hat. His hands (now lost) would have held a ritual object or a statuette. The feet are bare. He wears a long-sleeved dress and a knee-length outfit. The neck and feet were extensively restored. Such statues were placed inside temples. From Hatra, in modern-day Ninawa Governorate, Iraq, 1st to 3rd century CE.
Sulaymaniyah Museum, Iraq.
Questions & Answers
Was Mesopotamian religion polytheistic?
- Yes. Mesopotamian religion was polytheistic. The people worshipped approximately 3,600 different deities.
When was Mesopotamian religion first established?
- Mesopotamian religion was already established by the Uruk Period c. 4100 BCE.
Who was the most popular Mesopotamian god or goddess?
- The popularity of gods and goddesses changed with different eras but Inanna/Ishtar remained among the most popular in every period.
Why were amulets and charms used by religious people in ancient Mesopotamia?
- Amulets and charms were used by Mesopotamians to attract positive spirits from the gods and defend against dark energies from evil spirits, demons, or ghosts.
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External Links
Mesopotamian Deities | Essay | The Metropolitan Museum of Art | Heilbrunn Timeline of Art History
metmuseum.org
Mesopotamian Religion
washington.edu
Ancient Mesopotamian Gods & Goddesses
museum.upenn.edu
