Mesopotamian Religion
Ziggurats had walls around them to keep out the 'unholy' people
The ancients Mesopotamians were polytheistic, meaning they worshiped many gods. Since the region they lived on could be unpredictable (see 'Region'), the ancient Mesopotamians believed that the things that occurred in nature were the work of the gods. The Mesopotamians saw themselves as needy, helpless and inferior with their only goal in life to serve the Gods.
In the Mesopotamian religion, there were 4 creator gods. An, the sky god, was the highest of them. Then came Enlil, who could either help the humans or punish them with terrible storms. Nin-khursag was the earth goddess, and the fourth god was Enki, the god of water and wisdom. There was also Marduk, who created all humans (and to the Babylonians was the most important god). Aside from these main gods, there were 50 other gods in the assembly, called the Annunaki, and countless other spirits that shared the spirit world with them.
The only people considered 'holy enough' to enter the temples, or ziggurats, were the priests and wives of priests. They were also in charge of any offerings or sacrifices.
In the Mesopotamian religion, there were 4 creator gods. An, the sky god, was the highest of them. Then came Enlil, who could either help the humans or punish them with terrible storms. Nin-khursag was the earth goddess, and the fourth god was Enki, the god of water and wisdom. There was also Marduk, who created all humans (and to the Babylonians was the most important god). Aside from these main gods, there were 50 other gods in the assembly, called the Annunaki, and countless other spirits that shared the spirit world with them.
The only people considered 'holy enough' to enter the temples, or ziggurats, were the priests and wives of priests. They were also in charge of any offerings or sacrifices.
