Download Mesopotamia Ziggurat Stations Work

Name:
Period:
Date:
World History – Mrs. Schenck
Mesopotamia Ziggurat Stations Work
Directions: The purpose of a ziggurat was to worship the gods. Go to each station letter and follow the
directions here using the materials at that station. Put your answer in the corresponding letter on the
ziggurat on the back and on this side or other papers when prompted.
A. “What was the function of religion in ancient Mesopotamia?”
Most ancient cultures were polytheistic.
Define polytheism and its antonym, monotheism, using a dictionary.
o polytheism: ____________________________________________________________
o monotheism: ___________________________________________________________
Use the handout “Mesopotamian Gods and Goddesses” to complete the following.
o Dedicate your ziggurat to the god of your choice. Label Box A “Shrine”. Then write a god’s
name, association, city, and draw his/her symbol.
o Make an inference about the function of religion in ancient Mesopotamia using the list of
gods/goddesses.
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o Catch up on any stations you did not finish now.
B. “How do we use inferences and connections from reliable sources to build understanding?”
Analyze a primary source about Sumerian prayer from ancient Mesopotamia.
o Everyone log into the online textbook and read the Sumerian prayers there. Answer the
questions online and turn the activity in.
o Also write your answer to question 3 (How would you describe the relationship between the
people of Sumer and their gods and goddesses?) in Box B.
C. “How does geography influence how people live, move, and define regions?”
Watch the Babylonian Creation Myth.
o In Box C, describe the purpose of humans the myth describes.
o How does geography influence the Babylonian myth? What can you infer this might tell us
about Mesopotamian life and culture?
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D. “What is power, and how is it used?”
Read the handout “The Code of Hammurabi”.
o After reading, define what you think eye for an eye justice is:
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o Define equal justice: ____________________________________________________________
o Choose one code to focus on and write it here. _______________________
Explain whether you agree or disagree with the code and why. If you disagree, offer a more
fitting punishment.
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o In Box D, describe what groups of people you think had power in ancient Mesopotamia, and how
they used it?
E. “How does learning about ancient history impact how you understand other cultures?”
Immortality is the search for eternal or never ending life or fame.
Watch 5 minutes from Episode 11 “The Immortals” of Cosmos (around 2:10 to 7:20).
o In Box E, explain how the Mesopotamian invention of writing lead to immortality for
Enheduanna and all people.
o What two main pieces of Gilgamesh’s story have become part of our culture today? Where have
you seen/heard them before?
1. __________________________________________________________________________
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2. __________________________________________________________________________
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F. “How does the development of culture impact history?”
Using the website given, locate artifacts to prove the statement about agriculture, writing, or
technology on the back of your ziggurat.
Name:
Period:
Date:
World History 7 –
Mrs. Schenck
A polytheism
B How would you describe the relationship between the people of Sumer and their gods?
C What was the purpose of humans?
D What groups of people do you think had power in ancient Mesopotamia, and how did they use it?
E How the Mesopotamian invention of writing lead to immortality for Enheduanna and all people?