rELIGION
The ancient Mesopotamians worshiped hundreds of gods, each with his/her own name and certain thing he or she controlled. Every city had its own patron god or goddess, and there were also gods connected with different jobs, like scribes and builders. But only a few gods - those who controlled major things, such as the sky, the sun, and air - were considered the major ones. Anu was the father of the gods and the god of the sky, Enlil was the god of the air, and wind, Utu was the sun god, and of truth and justice, Nanna was the moon goddess, Inanna was the goddess of love and war, Ninhursag was the goddess of earth, and Enki was the god of fresh water as well as wisdom, knowledge, and magic. While they worshiped the great gods, most people felt distant from them, and had a personal relationship with a personal god that protected them and looked after them.
Little carved stone statues were placed in Mesopotamian temples by worshipers to stand in for them before the god or goddess to whom the sanctuary was dedicated, so that they could go about their lives. When the temples were renovated, those statues that had fallen into disrepair were carefully buried in the temple.
Little carved stone statues were placed in Mesopotamian temples by worshipers to stand in for them before the god or goddess to whom the sanctuary was dedicated, so that they could go about their lives. When the temples were renovated, those statues that had fallen into disrepair were carefully buried in the temple.