How did the Sumerians view the concept of divination and prophecy?

The Sumerians, who lived in ancient Mesopotamia, believed that divination and prophecy were important ways to communicate with their gods. They saw the universe as a place of constant communication between gods and humans, and they believed that divination was a way to interpret the messages that the gods sent.

Divination was performed in many different ways, including the examination of the liver of a sacrificed animal, the observation of celestial events, and the interpretation of dreams. These methods were seen as ways to gain insight into the desires and plans of the gods.

Prophecy was also an important part of Sumerian religion, and prophets were highly respected members of society. They were believed to be able to communicate directly with the gods and to receive messages from them. These messages could be about anything from the outcome of a battle to the future of the kingdom.

Overall, divination and prophecy were seen as important ways for the Sumerians to understand the will of their gods and to navigate the complex world around them.

The Sumerians believed that the gods communicated with humans through a variety of means, including dreams, omens, and the behavior of animals. They also believed that certain people, such as priests and seers, were able to interpret these communications and provide guidance to others.

Divination was an important part of Sumerian culture, and it was used to make decisions about everything from personal matters to matters of state. The most common forms of divination were extispicy (the examination of the entrails of sacrificed animals) and haruspicy (the interpretation of the flight of birds). Other forms of divination included astrology, palmistry, and cleromancy (the casting of lots).

Prophecy was also an important part of Sumerian culture, and it was used to predict future events. The most famous Sumerian prophet was Enkidu, who was said to have predicted the death of Gilgamesh. Other Sumerian prophets included Enlil-bani, Ishbi-Erra, and Adapa.

The Sumerians believed that divination and prophecy were essential for understanding the will of the gods and for avoiding disaster. They also believed that these practices could be used to gain power and influence. As a result, divination and prophecy were highly respected professions in Sumerian society.

Here are some additional details about the different types of divination practiced by the Sumerians:

• Extispicy: This involved the examination of the entrails of sacrificed animals, such as sheep and goats. The diviner would look for signs of disease or other abnormalities in the organs, which were interpreted as messages from the gods.
• Haruspicy: This involved the interpretation of the flight of birds. The diviner would watch the way that birds flew and the sounds that they made, and then interpret these as messages from the gods.
• Astrology: This involved the study of the stars and planets. The diviner would look for patterns in the movements of the heavenly bodies, and then interpret these as messages from the gods.
• Palmistry: This involved the study of the lines on the hands. The diviner would look for certain patterns in the lines, and then interpret these as messages from the gods.
• Cleromancy: This involved the casting of lots. The diviner would cast lots, such as pebbles or bones, and then interpret the way that they fell as messages from the gods.

The Sumerians believed that divination and prophecy could be used to gain knowledge about the future, to solve problems, and to make decisions. They also believed that these practices could be used to protect themselves from harm and to ensure their success. As a result, divination and prophecy were highly respected professions in Sumerian society.