WORLD HISTORY

Detailed explanation-1: -Ziggurats: The Sumerians believed that powerful gods lived high up in the sky atop the mountains in the distance. Because of that belief, the Sumerians built huge structures called ziggurats to bring them closer to the gods.

Detailed explanation-2: -The Sumerians built huge temples called ziggurats. Every town and city had one and it was the tallest building. They had to be as tall as possible in order to be closer to the gods who lived in the sky. Ziggurats had steps that led to the top where religious ceremonies took place.

Detailed explanation-3: -The Ziggurat at Ur and the temple on its top were built around 2100 B.C.E. by the king Ur-Nammu of the Third Dynasty of Ur for the moon god Nanna, the divine patron of the city state.

Detailed explanation-4: -The Sumerians believed their gods were a lot like people. They thought they ate, drank, slept, and got married. However, Sumerians also believed that the gods lived forever and had great power. If the gods were happy with people’s prayers and offerings, they might bring good fortunes to the city.

Detailed explanation-5: -Built in ancient Mesopotamia, a ziggurat is a type of massive stone structure resembling pyramids and featuring terraced levels. Accessible only by way of the stairways, it traditionally symbolizes a link between the gods and the human kind, although it also served practically as shelter from floods.

Detailed explanation-6: -The most prominent building in a Sumerian city was the temple dedicated to the chief god or goddess of the city. This temple was often built atop a massive stepped tower called a ziggurat. The Sumerians believed that gods and goddesses owned the cities.