The model of Sumerian temple economy in mesopotamia: Anatolian and ancient Greek interactions

In this thesis, the economic structures of Sumerian temples have been discussed. This structure has been accepted as a model and the similarities of this model on the Anatolian and Ancient Greek temples have been investigated. This model is called as "Temple Economy Model" in ancient literature. "Sumerian Temple Economy Model" briefly refers to the economic development of the temple itself. The main question is whether this model has emerged suddenly or gradually. In order to answer this question, it will be tried to make explanations starting from the early period examples of the Sumerian temples to the most magnificent ones. Even the architectural changes of these temples give some clues about the matter. In addition, the temple priests had a negative effect on people as they manipulated the religion. Therefore, when we consider the matter as a whole, we have encountered a temple structure increasing its influence. The similarities of this structure in the Anatolian and Ancient Greek temples have formed the rest of the study. In this way, we have tried to determine that how this aforementioned model reflected itself on the relevant states in time and that what kind of changes they experienced through. While writing study, we have striven to use cuneiform tablet transcriptions as much as possible, which was also supported by modern resources as required. "The Temple Economy Model" can in fact be considered the first starting point of banking activities. In this respect, the subject will be handled in a different make some determinations by addressing the issue in a different dimension. Although we could not make certain inferences on the subject, we have endeavored to bring forward various perspectives for similar studies in the future.