CHAPTER IV

RELIGION

The religions of Babylonia and Assyria--Differences between Babylonian and Assyrian religion--Sumerian religion Shamanistic-- Two centres of Babylonian religion--Semitic influence--The goddess Istar--Bel-Merodach--Other deities--Sacred books and ritual--The Priests--The Temples--Astro-theology--Sacrifices and offerings--The Sabbath--Monotheistic tendency--The future life--Cosmology 80