Question

How could the unpredictable flooding of the rivers in Mesopotamia effect their government and religion?

Answer 1

The unpredictable flooding of the rivers in Mesopotamia had significant impacts on their government and religion. It led to the emergence of systems of governance and administration, as well as a pessimistic worldview regarding the gods' role in flooding.

Step-by-step explanation:

The unpredictable flooding of the rivers in Mesopotamia had significant impacts on both their government and religion.

In terms of government, the floods necessitated coordination and cooperation among the villages to build flood control measures, such as levees and canals. This need for collective action likely led to the emergence of systems of governance and administration in order to manage the construction and maintenance of these hydrological systems.

Regarding religion, the frequent and destructive flooding of the rivers contributed to a general sense of pessimism among the Mesopotamians. They believed that the gods were fickle and easily angered, and the floods were seen as a punishment for human transgressions. Mythological stories of gods wreaking destruction through flooding reinforced this belief, adding to the overall pessimistic worldview of the Mesopotamian civilization.

Answer 2

The correct answer to this open question is the following.

Unpredictable flooding of the rivers in Mesopotamia affected their government and religion in that Sumerians demanded the priests to maintain contact with Gods because they believed that the Gods were unpredictable and had different moods. They were the ones who sent catastrophes to the Earth such as the flooding of the rivers, earthquakes, or heavy rain. So rulers and people demanded priests to keep the gods happy through sacrifices. Sumerians believed that they were at the mercy of these strange and whimsical gods.

Let's remember that Sumera-Mesopotamia was settled in the middle of the Tigris and Euphrates Rivers. so the flooding of the rivers was a major problem for them.