Fertility soil/women – Class of people emerged to oversee rituals/guide people priests/shamans held important positions Space dedicated for early rituals temples first buildings – Some regional, some transplanted Nomadic as well as early river civilizations Greeks/Romans represented natural human phenomenon, but appeared – like humans Pantheons elaborate groups positions for each – Sumerian-Babylonian deities set of rituals – Olympian deities bureaucracy” “celestial – Aesir and Vanir northern – Transition to Monotheism Zoroastrianism – Polytheism faded as myth or legend Zoroastrianism partial commitment to monotheism – Founded by priest Zoroaster in 500 B.C. Based teaching on Avestas Worship of one god Ahura Mazda lord” – “wise Son Mithra venerated as well Ahriman god of darkness – Belief that Ahura Mazda and Ahriman in cosmic struggle followers go to heaven Ahriman’s go to hell Not monotheism dual gods of equal power – Flourished in until 600s CE w/ Islam Remains in Parsis – Historians say played a role in shaping Jewish/Christian thought Judaism Overview Hebrews Jews/Jewish not until 900s BCE – Religion and societal custom Key part of the Western ethical, cultural, intellectual foundation first monotheistic faith Devoted exclusively to worship of one deity Founding Abraham’s Covenant Patriarch in Sumerian city of , clan leader Covenant with god YHWH (Yahweh/Jehovah) For…complete religious allegiance Get…Hebrews people” “chosen led to land” - “promised – Between 2000 > 1850 BCE left faith created – Son Isaac carried on faith and then grandson Jacob
Fertility – soil/women Class of people emerged to oversee rituals/guide people priests/shamans held important positions Space dedicated for early rituals – temples first buildings Some regional, some transplanted Nomadic as well as early river civilizations Greeks/Romans – represented natural human phenomenon, but appeared like humans Pantheons elaborate groups – positions for each Sumerian-Babylonian deities – set of rituals Olympian deities “celestial bureaucracy” – Aesir and Vanir – northern Transition to Monotheism – Zoroastrianism Polytheism faded as myth or legend Zoroastrianism – partial commitment to monotheism Founded by priest Zoroaster in 500 B.C. Based teaching on Avestas Worship of one god Ahura Mazda – “wise lord” Son Mithra venerated as well Ahriman – god of darkness Belief that Ahura Mazda and Ahriman in cosmic struggle followers go to heaven Ahriman’s go to hell Not monotheism – dual gods of equal power Flourished in until 600s CE w/ Islam Remains in – Parsis Historians say played a role in shaping Jewish/Christian thought Judaism Overview Hebrews – Jews/Jewish not until 900s BCE Religion and societal custom Key part of the Western ethical, cultural, intellectual foundation first monotheistic faith Devoted exclusively to worship of one deity Founding Abraham’s Covenant Patriarch in Sumerian city of , clan leader Covenant with god YHWH (Yahweh/Jehovah) For…complete religious allegiance Get…Hebrews “chosen people” led to “promised land” – - Between 2000 > 1850 BCE left – faith created Son Isaac carried on faith and then grandson Jacob
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