Mesopotamia- Chapter 4 Section 2

Mesopotamians believed that all of the land and everything on it belonged to the gods, therefore everything they did was for the gods.

They made offerings to the gods and goddesses.

Each god or goddess was responsible for a specific aspect of nature such as fresh water, healing, or farming.

The gods were shared throughout Mesopotamia but it was believed that each city state had a certain god that lived there to look after and protect them.

In order to honor their gods and goddesses and to ensure their presence in the city, Mesopotamians built large religious monuments called ziggurats.

Each ziggurat was dedicated to a specific god and resembled an Egyptian pyramid. The ziggurat gave the gods a place to stay in hopes that they would remain present in the city, offering greater protection.

The specialization of labor in Mesopotamia led to the social classes that shaped society.

An individual's work determined the social class to which he or she belonged to. Social classes were rigid and most of the time children were expected to pursue the same occupation as their parents.

Mesopotamia was a patriarchal society which means the men held the power in matters of government and family.

Men made up most of the political and religious leadership as well as making the household decisions such as who did what work and who marries who.

Women's roles in society were clearly defined as wives, mothers, or daughters. They primarily took care of the children, made clothing, worked in the garden and baked bread and other food.