The Impact Of Ancient Mesopotamian Culture On The Modern Society

Scholars consider ancient Mesopotamia the cradle or civilization. The enormous impact Mesopotamian civilizations had upon the development of mankind is indisputable. Mesopotamia’s first civilization established many of the traditions that we now enjoy. Our daily lives are shaped by social relationships. It is vital to know and study the history of these behaviors and how they were developed. We can compare Mesopotamian civilizations with modern practices, including the roles of women and children. It is important to recognize that there are many issues that affect our decision-making today. These include how women perceive marriage and divorce, children’s relationships, adoption views, and the perception of women. We can solve these problems by comparing contemporary Mesopotamian traditions with modern customs.

Ancient Mesopotamian civilizations had patriarchal characteristics, just like other civilizations. This led to women having fewer rights than their male counterparts. Women were expected to be married, have children and care for the home. While women were mostly dependent on their husbands, priestesses and other women had more freedom and rights than the rest. They could also inherit a portion of the property from their families. If her children are not yet 18 years old, they could have property. Girls were usually married to older men when they were a teenager. Many stages were involved in the marriage process. Among them, dowry was performed and symbolic actions were highlighted. The gifts that were given to newlyweds by their parents (mostly from the bride’s side) included jewelry, furniture, land and other goods. The groom was required to reveal the bride during marriage ceremonies. The financial condition of the families determined how many days it would take to celebrate. Ancient Mesopotamia considered the family’s property important. Because of this, the bride could marry her brother in order to inherit the property. Mesopotamian marriages are monogamous. However if there was no child, the husband could marry his second wife. There are still some duties and actions that women can perform today, as well as in the past. It is clear that women’s main obligations remain the same. Up until recently, there was no age limit or process that allowed parents to select the groom. This practice has been greatly reduced today and most girls can choose the man of their choice. While gifts are still included in marriage, they are usually given to the bride. Modern wedding ceremonies are usually held for one day. It is highly preferred to unveil the bride during a ceremony. Contrary to ancient Mesopotamians who were able to legally marry multiple people at once, marriage within a family is no longer legal.

The records indicate that divorce was fairly straightforward. The relationship had to be ended by the men either orally or symbolically. Divorce was often frowned upon by couples. Divorce was discouraged for men, and in certain cases, could result in a severe penalty. A woman should not be allowed to divorce her husband unless there are compelling reasons. If she was successful, her husband would have been able to provide financial support and her mother could go back home to her paternal residence. Infertility was a common reason for divorce. Surrogate mothers were used to prevent this. Scholars credit the Mesopotamian civilizations as having pioneered surrogacy. Even though the Eastern societies are more accepting of divorce than the Western ones, the attitudes towards it, especially the one in which women were the initiators, have not changed much. Now, divorce is governed by law. A couple can decide to end their marriage, or to continue the relationship due to infertility. Surrogate mothers are still a common way to help with this situation.

Ancient Mesopotamia’s family system emphasized that the father was responsible for the family. The children were an integral part of any family. Parents preferred that their son inherit the family property. However, there are some instances where daughters can inherit, depending on how the father divides his wealth. Children are part of a larger family but can be sold to cover family debts. The other way was to let them die, especially if they were born with disabilities. This was more common for girls since they had no chance of inheriting and were thus deemed not useful. These babies could be adopted by others if they were saved. Adoption was possible even if there were no children to be left. Older children, as well as infants, were also eligible for adoption. Unmarried women can adopt a daughter, even if the daughter decides to marry. Comparison of the past and the present reveals that the father has always been the head of the family. While most parents do not have preferences in regards to the sexuality of their child, there is an average tendency for a family to want a son. It is apparent that the practice is no longer being used and that strict regulations are enforced regarding this matter. Because modern society is not influenced by superstitions, it doesn’t make sense to treat disability and other conditions like bad luck. Today, foster care is legal for parents. Adopting children is not just about the inheritance aspect. Single parents and couples can also adopt these children. As societies evolve and change their values, adoptions are no longer motivated by personal or psychological needs. Parents today want to give their children love, education and help the society.

The “Fertile Crescent” is a term that describes the contribution of Mesopotamia’s ancient civilizations to the development of every aspect of human life. Although modern society is far more technologically advanced than the past, many actions and ideas still originate from classic cultures. It is similar how the ancient world divided male and female roles. Understanding the reasons behind certain actions is crucial in order to find solutions that last for centuries. It is not surprising that family customs, such as divorce, marriage and family environments, have been around since the beginning of human history. Many of the traditions that we have today, which have been around for many centuries, are a result of ancient Mesopotamia. By comparing our lives, societies can decrease negative tendencies, improve their wellbeing, and create the best possible society.