Mesopotamian Afterlife Research Paper

The widespread Mesopotamian view of death leading to an absolute conclusion without the promise of a paradise or meaningful existence had consequences in how these people lived their lives. In this essay I will focus on how this ancient view of the afterlife and related religious beliefs affected the way these people treated Marriage, parenting, and prostitution.
“The dead endured a gray and empty existence” (Mcintosh, 2005, p. 226)

The quote above concisely summarizes how the Ancient Mesopotamian afterlife was popularly regarded. Instantly, it is obvious that the priorities of ancient Mesopotamians laid in the secular world.
Without an afterlife, one comes to the realization that their existence is fleeting and their only chance to exist into the future is indirectly through their offspring. Ancient Mesopotamians no doubt understood this theme which is deeply rooted in nature, seen in virtually all forms of life …show more content…
226)
Which can be easily rationalized when considered from the perspective of ancient Mesopotamian parents who tried to maximize the number of children they had and would be having a part of their afterlife stolen from them should their child die. It seems that the threat of a ghost haunting was intended as a feasible solution to dissuading potential child murderers.
From this we can see just how valuable legitimate children were to ancient Mesopotamians; it makes sense that their beliefs supported grave supernatural consequences for those who killed children. However, there was one important stipulation:
“Stillborn children played happily in the underworld “at a table of gold and silver, laden with honey and ghee” (Mcintosh, 2005, p.

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