Question

Read the summary.The earliest societies of Mesopotamia believed their rulers had divine right (1). As these societies grew in size, more complex governments and bureaucracies emerged (2). As a result, ancient Mesopotamia became the birthplace of a secular society that separated church and state (3).Which option accurately critiques the claims in the summary?A) While parts (1) and (3) are accurate, part (2) needs revision.

B) While part (1) is accurate, parts (2) and (3) need revision.
C) While parts (1) and (2) are accurate, part (3) needs revision.
D) While parts (2) and (3) are accurate, part (1) needs revision.

Answer 1

The statement that ancient Mesopotamia separated church and state (part 3 of the summary) needs revision because religious and secular powers were not distinctly separate in Mesopotamian societies.

Step-by-step explanation:

The claim about Mesopotamia in the summary presented by the student requires some critique. While it is accurate that Mesopotamian rulers were often seen as having divine right (part 1), and that as societies grew, more complex governments and bureaucracies emerged (part 2), the assertion that Mesopotamia became the birthplace of a secular society that separated church and state (part 3) needs revision. In ancient Mesopotamia, religious and secular powers were intertwined, with priests playing a significant role in governance alongside secular leaders. Eventually, figures like the lugal accumulated both religious and secular power within their office. Societies in Mesopotamia often saw their cities as being 'owned' by a patron god, and the ruling class justified their governance on the premise of being chosen or favored by their gods. Thus, while there were elements of bureaucracy and administrative governance that might resemble a secular state, there was not a clear-cut separation between church and state.