Question

Why did the gods want to get rid of humanity?

Option 1: Humanity had become too powerful and posed a threat to the gods.
Option 2: Humanity was disrespectful and had stopped worshiping the gods.
Option 3: The gods were jealous of humanity's success and achievements.
Option 4: The gods did not want to get rid of humanity; it was a misunderstanding.

Answer 1

Mesopotamians believed their gods could destroy humanity if they were insufficiently worshiped or disturbed, influenced by their challenging living conditions and a pessimistic worldview.

Step-by-step explanation:

The ancient Mesopotamian people believed their gods were cruel and capricious, and humanity's existence was primarily to serve the gods. Humans supplied the gods with food through sacrifice and honored them with temples and gifts. However, the Mesopotamians feared their worship might be insufficient and provoke the gods' wrath, potentially leading to catastrophic events such as floods or plagues. For example, the storm god Enlil was prepared to annihilate humanity because their noise disturbed his sleep. Moreover, the harsh and unpredictable living conditions, like flooding, disease, and war, contributed to a pessimistic worldview, further influencing their perceptions of the gods as being destructive and easily angered. The Mesopotamian priests played a crucial role in placating these deities to avoid divine retribution.