Sumerian Religion
From ancient temples through writings of hymns, myths, lamentations, and incantations, archaeologists and mythographers gives the modern reader a look into the religious world of the Sumerians.
Each city has a temple that was the seat of a major god in the Sumerian pantheon, as the gods controlled the powerful forces that often dictated a human's fate. The priesthood held this role, and even after secular kings ascended to power, the clergy still held great charge through the interpretation of omens and dreams. Many of the secular kings claimed divine right; Sargon of Agade, for example claimed to have been chosen by Ishtar/Inanna.
"The rectangular central shrine of the temple, known as a 'cella,' had a brick altar or offering table in front of a statue of the temple's deity. The cella was lined on its long ends by many rooms for priests and priestesses. These mud-brick buildings were decorated with cone geometrical mosaics, and the occasional fresco with human and animal figures. These temple complexes eventually evolved into towering ziggurats" (Sumer).
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R9fXmwxJjuY
Each city has a temple that was the seat of a major god in the Sumerian pantheon, as the gods controlled the powerful forces that often dictated a human's fate. The priesthood held this role, and even after secular kings ascended to power, the clergy still held great charge through the interpretation of omens and dreams. Many of the secular kings claimed divine right; Sargon of Agade, for example claimed to have been chosen by Ishtar/Inanna.
"The rectangular central shrine of the temple, known as a 'cella,' had a brick altar or offering table in front of a statue of the temple's deity. The cella was lined on its long ends by many rooms for priests and priestesses. These mud-brick buildings were decorated with cone geometrical mosaics, and the occasional fresco with human and animal figures. These temple complexes eventually evolved into towering ziggurats" (Sumer).
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R9fXmwxJjuY
Sumerian Ziggurat
Archaeologists discovered one of the oldest at Eridu. They thought it must have been a temple because they found the remains of burnt fish which had been left as offerings. .
Over hundreds of years the temple was rebuilt on the remains of previous buildings, and so the platform grew in size.
- The emerging Sumerian cities of the Ziggurat is located near this part of Asia.
Temples
The Ain Dara Temple
A close up of the
Ain Dara
Temple
Ain Dara
Temple
The Ain Dara temple is a very famous temple for the Ziggurat religion it is located near the village of Ain Dara and is know for being like a twin to the Solomon's Temple. it has exsisted from 1300 B.C. TO 740 B.C.
Massive footprints are carved into the floor; whether of gods or humans or animals is still unknown. Also left to ponder is to who the temple is dedicated too. Ain Dara may have been devoted to Jschtar, goddess of fertility or was it dedicated to the female goddess Astarte or the detiy Ba'al Hadad.
Massive footprints are carved into the floor; whether of gods or humans or animals is still unknown. Also left to ponder is to who the temple is dedicated too. Ain Dara may have been devoted to Jschtar, goddess of fertility or was it dedicated to the female goddess Astarte or the detiy Ba'al Hadad.
The temples of the favorite gods could be found at the center of Sumerian cities.The Sumerians believed the gods came from the mountains they could see in the distance across the plains. Some people think that the temples were built on platforms to look like mountains.Temples for the Ziggurat religion were made by mud bricks. During the third millennium B.C. The temples started to get higher and higher. After a period of time it was decided to build even higher temples on a platform that was stepped
The stepped towers were called Ziggurats. By 2000 B.C. mud brick Ziggurats were being constructed in many Sumerian cities. Later, Ziggurats were constructed in Babylonian and Assyrian cities.
The stepped towers were called Ziggurats. By 2000 B.C. mud brick Ziggurats were being constructed in many Sumerian cities. Later, Ziggurats were constructed in Babylonian and Assyrian cities.
Carvings done by Sumerians
Clothing and Jewelry
Sumerian Men
Sumerian Soldier
Sumerian Royalty
Sumerian Women
"SUMERIAN MEN:
Men in Summer were normally bare chested and wore layered garments, like skirts, tide at the waist as shown in this statue. They either had long hair and long beards or they were completely shaven bald. Rich and poor men generally wore the same types of clothing, although jewelry became far more elaborate for the rich, and the more expensive the jewelry they were wearing, the higher social status they received. All men wore jewelry including necklaces, ear-rings and bracelets. The rich's jewelry was made from gold and embedded with gems, mainly the lapis lazuli and the carnelian.
SUMERIAN SOLDIERS:
Sumerian soldiers were depicted differently in most archaeological remains, so it is difficult to tell what they would actually have worn. Out of battle they would have just worn normal men's clothing. The Standard of Ur shows soldiers wearing skirts strengthened with metal (probably bronze) and wearing leather cloaks, while the Vulture Stele show them wearing copper helms. This is quite likely to be accurate as the excavations of Ur have uncovered copper helmets that were probably worn over leather caps.
SUMERIAN WOMEN:
Sumerian women, unlike the men, wore long gowns that covered their necks down to their ankles. Both rich and poor women wore their gowns in this style, although the more wealthy women's gowns were often brightly coloured and made of rarer and far more luxurious materials. Jewellery was similar to the men's (necklaces, ear-rings and bracelets often embedded with lapis lazuli or carnelian). Women would grow their hair long, but often braided it and wrapped it around their heads. When entertaining guests, women would put head-dresses in their hair.
SUMERIAN ROYALTY:
The royalty of Sumer (kings, leaders, queens) wore similar clothing to the rest of Sumerian society, however the clothing was made of elaborate, expensive material and they would have worn enormous amounts of gold and silver jewellery (head-dresses, crowns, ear-rings, neck-laces, bracelets and bangles, rings, anklets). These could be embedded with all kinds of exotic and expensive gems. For more information on jewellery found in Royal Tombs see the Major"(Gall)
Men in Summer were normally bare chested and wore layered garments, like skirts, tide at the waist as shown in this statue. They either had long hair and long beards or they were completely shaven bald. Rich and poor men generally wore the same types of clothing, although jewelry became far more elaborate for the rich, and the more expensive the jewelry they were wearing, the higher social status they received. All men wore jewelry including necklaces, ear-rings and bracelets. The rich's jewelry was made from gold and embedded with gems, mainly the lapis lazuli and the carnelian.
SUMERIAN SOLDIERS:
Sumerian soldiers were depicted differently in most archaeological remains, so it is difficult to tell what they would actually have worn. Out of battle they would have just worn normal men's clothing. The Standard of Ur shows soldiers wearing skirts strengthened with metal (probably bronze) and wearing leather cloaks, while the Vulture Stele show them wearing copper helms. This is quite likely to be accurate as the excavations of Ur have uncovered copper helmets that were probably worn over leather caps.
SUMERIAN WOMEN:
Sumerian women, unlike the men, wore long gowns that covered their necks down to their ankles. Both rich and poor women wore their gowns in this style, although the more wealthy women's gowns were often brightly coloured and made of rarer and far more luxurious materials. Jewellery was similar to the men's (necklaces, ear-rings and bracelets often embedded with lapis lazuli or carnelian). Women would grow their hair long, but often braided it and wrapped it around their heads. When entertaining guests, women would put head-dresses in their hair.
SUMERIAN ROYALTY:
The royalty of Sumer (kings, leaders, queens) wore similar clothing to the rest of Sumerian society, however the clothing was made of elaborate, expensive material and they would have worn enormous amounts of gold and silver jewellery (head-dresses, crowns, ear-rings, neck-laces, bracelets and bangles, rings, anklets). These could be embedded with all kinds of exotic and expensive gems. For more information on jewellery found in Royal Tombs see the Major"(Gall)
Works Cited List:
Gall, By Christopher. "Clothing and Jewelry." N.p., n.d. Web.
Sumer, Kurt. "Sumerian Art & Architecture - Crystalinks."Sumerian Art & Architecture - Crystalinks. N.p., 7 Oct. 2009. Web. 07 May 2013.
Sumer, Kurt. "Sumerian Art & Architecture - Crystalinks."Sumerian Art & Architecture - Crystalinks. N.p., 7 Oct. 2009. Web. 07 May 2013.
