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Calcite Statue of a Mesopotamian Man
Calcite figure of a man, with a cuneiform inscription on the right shoulder/upper arm. The text hasn't been deciphered yet, but probably it bears the dedicator's name. The nose might well have been attached separately. There is a cuneiform doodle at the back of the statue (not shown), which appears to have been added later, during the first millennium BCE. From Mesopotamia, modern-day Iraq, early Dynastic Period, c. 2600 BCE.
The British Museum, London.
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
