Law was highly developed as is evident from the elaborate laws of Hummarabi, which covered almost every aspect of the Mesopotamian life. (Love) Patriarchal Society

The Mesopotamian society was highly patriarchal in nature with the wife's position being firmly below that of the husband in the household. Women's position in the society, however, varied between city-states and changed over time. In the early periods, particularly the Sumerian period women enjoyed greater freedom, could own their own property, and engage in business for themselves. Female freedom sharply diminished during the Assyrian era. There was also a great difference between the rights and condition of high status women, such as priestesses and members of royal families, compared to women of lower classes. ("Ancient Tablets...")

Works Cited

Ancient Tablets, Ancient Graves: Accessing Women's Lives in Mesopotamia." Women in World...

1996. December 10, 2004. http://www.womeninworldhistory.com/lesson2.html
Jacobsen, Thorkild. "Mesopotamian Religion" Article in Encyclopedia Britannica, 2004 CD-Rom Version

Love, Anthony Michael. "Sumerian Society." Sarrisa.org. n.d. December 10, 2004 http://www.sarissa.org/sumer/sumer_s.php

Summerian Deities." Meta Religion. n.d. December 10, 2004. http://www.meta-religion.com/World_Religions/Ancient_religions/Mesopotamia/Summerian/summerian_deities.htm

The Sumerian civilization appeared around 3500 BC; the Akaddians (a Semitic people from Western and central Mesopotamia) conquered the region at around 2330 BC; followed by the Babylonians (1800-1600 BC) and the Assyrian kingdom (which existed from 1350 BC to 612 BC)

These gods were 'An,' the god of heaven; 'Ki', the goddess of earth; 'Enlil', the god of air; and 'Enki,' the god of water.

Mesopotamia