The Pagan World: Ancient Religions before Christianity Season 1 Episode 1 Early Pagan Religion in Mesopotamia

The Pagan World: Ancient Religions before Christianity is a new show that explores the fascinating and ancient world of pagan religions that existed before Christianity. In the first episode titled "Early Pagan Religion in Mesopotamia," the show takes us back in time to the cradle of civilization, to the land between the rivers, Mesopotamia.

Mesopotamia was an ancient region that roughly corresponds to modern-day Iraq, Kuwait, and parts of Iran, Turkey, and Syria. It was here that the first known civilization emerged, the Sumerians, around 4000 BCE. The Sumerians had a sophisticated system of writing, agriculture, and trade and were also known for their religious beliefs.

The first episode of The Pagan World explores the early pagan religion of Mesopotamians and how it developed over time. We learn about the Sumerian gods and goddesses, such as Anu, Enlil, and Inanna, and how they were worshipped by the people. The show also reveals how the Sumerians believed in an afterlife and the ways in which they tried to communicate with the dead.

The episode also delves into the Babylonian and Assyrian empires, which succeeded the Sumerians. We learn about the god Marduk, who was the patron deity of Babylon, and how he defeated the monster Tiamat to create the world. The show also looks at the famous Hanging Gardens of Babylon and how they were constructed.

Additionally, the episode explores the role of priests and priestesses in Mesopotamian religion and how they interacted with the gods and goddesses. We learn about the practices of divination and prophecy, such as reading the livers of sacrificial animals, and how they were used to predict the future.

The Pagan World: Ancient Religions before Christianity season 1 episode 1 gives us a fascinating insight into the early pagan religion of Mesopotamia. We see how religion played an important role in the daily lives of the people and how it evolved over time with the rise and fall of different empires. It is a must-watch for anyone interested in ancient history, religion, and culture.