Ancient Mesopotamian mythology

Ancient Mesopotamian mythology encompasses the beliefs and stories of early civilizations like Sumer, Akkad, Babylon, and Assyria. It features gods representing natural forces and human qualities, such as Anu (sky), Enlil (wind), and Ishtar (love and war). These deities interacted with humans through creation myths, epic tales like Gilgamesh, and rituals aimed at ensuring prosperity and order. The mythology reflects a worldview seeking to understand the universe, life, and the divine, emphasizing themes of chaos versus order, mortality, and the divine right of kings. It laid foundational concepts influencing later cultures and religions in the region.