What do ancient stories tell us about the civilization of Mesopotamia?
Ancient stories of Mesopotamia are valuable sources of information. As per the stories, Mesopotamia is situated between two rivers, the Tigris and Euphrates. Mesopotamia was one of the advanced civilizations of its time. Its society was divided into three classes, i.e.
- The upper class
- The middle class and
- The lower class
People belonging to upper classes led a life full of comforts and luxury and enjoyed special privileges. Agriculture was the main occupation of the people. Their life was normally prosperous. Religion was an important part of their life and people worshiped many gods and goddesses. Shamas was their main God. It was the Sun. Ziggurat was the name given to Sumerian temples.
Another description from the Bible: According to the Bible, the flood was meant to destroy all forms of life on the earth. However, God chose a man, Noah, to ensure that life could continue after devastating flood on the earth. Noah, built a huge boat, an ark. He took a pair each of all known species of animals and birds on the board, the arks which survived the flood. When other things were destroyed by the flood, his boat remained safe along with all the species. Thus began a new life on the earth. There was a similar striking story in Mesopotamian tradition, where the principal character was called Ziusudra or Utnapishtim.
Suggested Q&A
History · Class 11- HistoryClass 11Go through the chapter carefully and pick out some basic features of Roman society and economy which you think make it look quite modem.
- HistoryClass 11Suppose the emperor Trajan had actually managed to conquer India and the Romans had held on to the country for several centuries. In what ways do you think India might be different today?
- HistoryClass 11Why do you think the Roman government stopped coining in silver? And which metal did it begin to use for the production of coinage?
- HistoryClass 11Imagine that you are a Roman housewife preparing a shopping list for household requirements. What would be on the list?
- HistoryClass 11Compile a list of some of the towns, cities, rivers, seas and provinces mentioned in this chapter, and then try and find them on the maps. Can you say something about any three of the items in the list you have compiled?
- HistoryClass 11If you had lived in the Roman Empire, where would you rather have lived—in the towns or in the countryside? Explain why?