طقوس المناسبات في بلاد الرافدين

Abstract

This study, entitled “Rituals of Occasions in Mesopotamia,” examines the religious and social rituals associated with various occasions in Mesopotamian civilization, highlighting the role of the temple institution and the priestly system in organizing and supervising these practices. It aims to identify the significance of these rituals and their connection with the beliefs and myths of Mesopotamian society. The research adopts a historical, descriptive, and analytical approach. The first chapter discusses the temple institution, its origins, types, and functions, while the second chapter focuses on the priestly system, its hierarchy, duties, and the position of priestesses. The third chapter addresses the concept of rituals and their main forms, including marriage, birth, funerary, and temple-building rituals. The study concludes that rituals constituted an essential element of Mesopotamian religious and social life, contributing to the consolidation of beliefs and the organization of society. It also highlights the central role of the temple as a religious, economic, and political institution, as well as the important contribution of priests and priestesses in preserving religious traditions and practices.