Art of the First Cities: The Third Millennium B.C. from the Mediterranean to the Indus | Explore & Learn

The Divine World: Syria

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Inscribed objects, cuneiform tablets, and excavated temple buildings at sites like Mari and Ebla demonstrate that Syria shared many of the religious beliefs of Mesopotamia. The gods ruled the world while humans were simply their servants. Religious activities were concerned with keeping these deities happy and maintaining their support. One of the most important deities was Ishtar, a goddess of love and war, and at both Ebla and Mari sacred areas or temple buildings were devoted to her. At Mari other temples were devoted to Dagan, corn god of the middle Euphrates region; Ninhursanga, a Sumerian mother goddess; and Shamash, the sun god. Much of the imagery found at these cities reflects their close cultural ties with southern Mesopotamia.


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Images, from top to bottom: Recumbent human-headed bull or bison, ca. 2350–2250 B.C.; Early Bronze Age, Mardikh IIb 1. Syria, Ebla (modern Tell Mardikh), Palace G, Administrative Quarter, room L.2764, TM.76.G.850. National Museum, Aleppo, Syria 10782. Lion-headed eagle pendant, ca. 2400–2250 B.C.; Early Dynastic IIIB. Syria, Mari, Palace, Court XXVII, "Treasure of Ur," M.4405. National Museum, Damascus, Syria 2399.

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