Year: 2025
Type: article
Abstract: This study focuses on clarifying the meanings of the concept of goodness in ancient Iraq through literary works, and the implications found in myths, epics, wisdom literature, proverbs, seals, and also in ancient religious beliefs that influenced people's lives. These, in turn, were reflected in the mindset of the ancient Iraqi individual. The concept of goodness is highlighted as one of the most important features demonstrated by literary texts. The religious dimension of goodness appears in how the gods interacted with each other and with humans, taking on various forms and manifestations. This idea was also tied to the good deeds performed by humans for their communities. Several literary texts provide evidence of these meanings, such as the creation of man, the Epic of Gilgamesh and Enkidu, the concepts of death and immortality, and various other stories with significant meaning and symbolism. These texts reflect the Sumerians' view of the gods, whom they saw as beings to be served and obeyed without questioning their decisions, and to whom offerings were to be made in order to gain their favor. From this worldview, the concept of goodness in ancient Iraq emerged.
Source: لارك
DOI: 10.31185/lark.4205
Institution: University of Wasit
Language: English
Topic: Ancient Near East History
Subfield: Archeology
Field: Arts and Humanities
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: diamond
OpenAlex ID: W4413344377