Grade 1 - Early world Civilizations

Early World Civilizations: Supplemental Guide 3A | The Religion of Babylon 61

Temple/Ziggurat

 Show image 3A-4: Amur and Warad looking at ziggurat

1. In today’s story Warad takes Amur to the temple of one of the gods.
   Even from far away they could see the very tall ziggurat (zig-UH-
   rought) rising up into the air.


2. Say the word temple with me three times.
   Say the word ziggurat with me three times.


3. A temple is a place people go to worship gods and goddesses.
   A ziggurat was a pyramid-shaped building in Mesopotamia that had
   sides that looked like steps.


4. Only the priests could go to the top of the ziggurat and enter the
   temple.[Point to the top part of the ziggurat, and explain that only
   priests could go up to the temple to worship the temple’s god or
   goddess.]


5. [Show students different images of ziggurats. Have them identify the
   step-like sides and the temple at the top.]

Purpose for Listening

Explain to students that the people of Mesopotamia believed in

many gods and goddesses that ruled together. Explain that gods

are male and goddesses are female. Tell students to listen to

fi nd out who the gods and goddesses were and how they were

important to the people of Mesopotamia.