Priesthood in Mesopotamian religion

The study consists of an introduction, two sections and a conclusion. In the introduction part, preparatory topics such as the concept of Mesopotamia, its geography, prehistoric cultures, sources and chronology were discussed. However, in this section, the emergence of cities in Mesopotamia, the postgraduate and doctoral thesis studies in this field and Mesopotamian civilizations were mentioned. These civilizations, mainly Sumerians, Akkadians, Assyrians, and Babylonians, were examined in chronological order. In addition, the III. Ur Dynasty and the Isin-Larsa Periods were mentioned concerning these civilizations. Besides these basic civilizations of Mesopotamia, communities such as Amorites, Arameans and Chaldeans were mentioned. In the first part of the thesis, a general description of the Mesopotamian Religion was made. After the conceptual framework and methodology of this religion were established, the religious history of Mesopotamia was discussed. In the following parts of the chapter, the belief in the god of this religion and the prominent gods in this religion has been investigated. However, in this religion, temples, rituals, understanding of the universe, belief in the afterlife, spiritual beings, prophets and sacred texts were discussed. In the second part of the thesis, the subject of the priesthood in the Mesopotamian Religion was tried to be detailed. First of all, after some concepts related to this subject were explained, the history of the priesthood in Mesopotamia was discussed. After that, the priests and nuns in this religion and the titles used for them were examined. The functions and characteristics of priests, which is the focus of this chapter and thesis, have been tried to be put forward in detail. Finally, prominent priests and nuns in the history of Mesopotamia were 380 mentioned and visual depictions of priests were analyzed. Here, the characteristics and depictions of the priests seen on the seals were examined. As a result, determinations were made about the priesthood in the Mesopotamian Religion and inferences were made. The institutionalized and carefully structured priestly class proved to have had a remarkable influence in shaping this civilization.