Matthew 1

[JLG]

Numerology 1)

In ancient Babylon, numerology was intrinsically linked to astrology, and numbers were assigned to celestial bodies to interpret cosmic influences on human affairs. Numerology was considered a means to understand the universe and human destiny.

Key Concepts:

Numerology as a Tool of Prediction and Insight:

In Babylon, numbers were considered sacred and were used to predict future events and understand the nature of human beings.

Application Examples:

Dream Interpretation:

The Babylonians used numerology to interpret the meaning of dreams, associating numbers with different symbols.

Weather Forecasting:

Numerology was used to predict the weather, based on the positions of celestial bodies and their associated numbers.

Decision-Making:

The Babylonians used numerology to make important decisions, such as when to begin construction or when to perform a ritual. In short, numerology in ancient Babylon was a holistic practice used to understand the universe, predict the future, and make important decisions.

 

[JLG]

Numerology 2)

Connection with Astrology:

Each number was associated with a celestial body, allowing the Babylonians to interpret cosmic influences in people's lives.

Use in Daily Life:

The Babylonians used numerology for decision-making, planning important events, and building sacred structures.

Numbering System:

The Babylonians developed a positional (sexagesimal) numbering system, where the value of a digit depended on its position in the number.

- Again, it can be repeated:

—Definitely another demonic tool!

—Another tool to show that humans are not responsible for their actions!

—Gods and demons play an important role!

—Consequently, religion is always present!

 

[JLG]

Mathematics 1)

Mathematics in ancient Babylon, also known as Assyro-Babylonian mathematics, developed in Mesopotamia and was based on a sexagesimal (base 60) number system. This number system, used for measuring time (60 seconds, 60 minutes) and angles (360 degrees in a circle), had a lasting impact on modern mathematics. The Babylonians used multiplication tables and other mathematical tools to manage their irrigation systems, agriculture, and architecture.

Sexagesimal Number System:

The sexagesimal system, based on base 60, was used by the Babylonians to represent numbers.

Mathematical Applications:

The Babylonians used mathematics to manage their irrigation systems, agriculture, and architecture.

Legacy of Babylonian Mathematics:

Babylonian mathematics has had a major impact on the development of mathematics in other cultures, especially in Greece.

 

[JLG]

Mathematics 2)

This system is still used today to measure time (60 seconds in a minute, 60 minutes in an hour) and angles (360 degrees in a circle).

The Babylonians developed positional notation, where the value of a digit depended on its position in the number.

Initially, spaces were used to represent zero, but later a specific symbol was introduced to represent zero within numbers, although not at the end.

Mathematics was also used to solve more sophisticated problems, such as determining the speed and distance of planets.

Tablets with solutions to geometric problems were found, suggesting a sophisticated understanding of geometry.

The influence of Babylonian mathematics can be seen in the adoption of the sexagesimal system by the Greeks and, later, in European mathematics.

Babylonian mathematics has also been studied today, allowing for a better understanding of the foundations of mathematics in ancient times.

 

[JLG]

Mathematics and religion 3)
Mathematics and religion have a longstanding and intricate relationship that explores how numerical and spatial reasoning intersects with spiritual and religious beliefs. Historically, mathematical knowledge has served not only practical purposes—such as computation and organization—but also played a significant role in cosmological and theological contemplation across various cultures. In many ancient societies, including those in Babylon and Mesoamerica, arithmetic and geometric knowledge were integral to rituals and divination practices, reflecting a worldview where mathematics was embedded in cultural and spiritual customs.

Different traditions, such as Pythagorean number mysticism, Islamic geometric patterns, and Vedic rituals, illustrate how mathematics has been utilized to understand the cosmos and the divine. In Christianity, figures like Saint Augustine and later scholastic theologians linked mathematical concepts to spiritual understanding, seeing numbers and shapes as manifestations of divine wisdom. Furthermore, mathematical reasoning has influenced religious thought from antiquity to modernity, with thinkers like Descartes and Kant exploring its implications for understanding God and morality.

While modern developments in mathematics, including non-Euclidean geometries, have challenged traditional religious views, the interplay between these disciplines continues to provoke theological contemplation and inspire new interpretations of spiritual significance. Thus, the relationship between mathematics and religion remains a rich field for exploration, illustrating the diverse cultural perspectives on the quest for knowledge and meaning.

 

[JLG]

Riche Verbeek said:

Mesopotamia (= Mesopotamia): before the Flood: Sumeria, after the Flood: first the empire of Akkad and Ur, then Babylonia! (Uruk was a -different- city than Ur and was also there before Ur!)(they were close to each other!)

- Here are some additional elements I found on the internet:

 

[JLG]

1)

Mesopotamia, Sumeria, Akkadia, and Babylon are all terms related to the ancient civilization of Mesopotamia, but they refer to different aspects of the region and its history. Mesopotamia is the general geographic region, while Sumeria and Akkadia were civilizations within it, and Babylon was a city and later an important empire in Mesopotamian history.

Here is a more detailed difference:

Mesopotamia:

Is the geographic region that lies between the Tigris and Euphrates rivers. It is the "name" of the region, not a civilization in itself.

In short, Mesopotamia is the region, Sumeria and Akkadia are ancient civilizations that existed there, and Babylon is a city and empire that developed within the region.

It is important to note that the lines between these civilizations sometimes overlap and that cultures and practices were exchanged between them.

 

[JLG]

2)

Sumer:

Was an early civilization that flourished in southern Mesopotamia. The Sumerians are recognized for inventing cuneiform writing and for their achievements in architecture and engineering.

Akkadian:

Was a civilization that developed in central and northern Mesopotamia. The Akkadians established an empire that spanned the region and adopted many Sumerian traditions, including cuneiform writing.

Babylon:

Was an important city-state within Mesopotamia, which later grew into a powerful empire, with a king and a prominent culture. Babylon was famous for its advances in mathematics, astronomy, and law.

 

[JLG]

3)

Mesopotamians are or were anyone living along or between the two rivers of the Tigris and Euphrates. Which includes but is not only the other two groups mentioned. The Sumerians or people of Sumer are likely the earliest civilization meaning cities bigger than villages, dependent on crops entirely with little or no hunting and actual administration and specialization in religion, government, warriors, over a mass of farmers.

The Sumarians spoke a language isolate. Meaning we know of no other languages like it or associated with it. They also invented cuneiform writing in which to express their thoughts and records. We can only guess at what sounded like or what its grammar was. They lived at the very end of the two rivers where they merge before emptying into the Persian Gulf.

The Akkadians were the next group up the two rivers from Sumer. They borrowed and adapted the Cuneiform Writing system to their Semitic Language. In fact because it is the earliest Semitic language showing the distinctive features of Semitic languages like all words basically coming from three consonant groups producing related words by varying the vowels or adding a distinctive fourth consonant that always produces the same effect across the language and generally writing only the consonants as the vowels are generally easy to insert by context. We in fact guess Sumerian from our knowledge of Akkadian.

 

[JLG]

4)

Over time and conquest Sumerian disappeared into Semitic languages like Babylonian, Assyrian or Syriac or Aramaic, all similar Semitic languages further north along the two rivers or actually following the fertile watered farmable lands of the Fertile Crescent up especially the Euphrates river which makes a wide loop close to the Syrian coastline often called the Syrian Littoral where the mountains catch the rain coming from the Mediterranean making the coastal lands of modern Syria, Lebanon, and Palestine able to grow crops like Mesopotamia and from which we get the earliest civilizations, empires, and the most collection of modern foods. That area produced the largest number of domesticated crops like most of our fruits, many of the cereal crops like wheat, oats, barley, and rye. And where beer was invented which is still a water extraction of various combinations of those grains then fermented creating alcohol that makes the water safe to drink by poisoning any germs that may get into the water from the larger concentration of people.

 

[JLG]

5)

Mesopotamia is a geographical term meaning 'the land between the rivers', referring to the Tigris and Euphrates. Nowadays it's mostly in Iraq. Five thousand years ago, it was the richest and most heavily-populated region of the world.

The other names you list are all nations or empires which ruled in the region of Mesopotamia at one time or another, over a period of nearly 3,000 years.

The Sumerians were people who lived in southern Mesopotamia. They were the first ever urban civilisation, and the first to invent writing in about 3000 BCE. They remained powerful until about 2300 BCE, but their culture and religion influenced later civilisations in the region for many centuries afterwards. The language they spoke, Sumerian, is now dead with no modern relatives.

The Akkadians lived in central Mesopotamia, north of the Sumerians. They spoke Akkadian, which is distantly related to Arabic, Hebrew and Aramaic. In 2334 BCE the Akkadian ruler Sargon conquered the Sumerians, creating the world's first empire. (It lasted about two centuries then collapsed into multiple smaller states.) The Akkadians admired and copied Sumerian culture even as they invaded them.

Babylon was a town in what had been the territory of the empire of Akkad in Sargon's day. In 1792 BCE its king, Hammurabi, conquered most of Mesopotamia and founded an empire, as well as creating a famous code of laws. The Babylonian Empire did not long survive Hammurabi's death, but his lasting legacy was to make Babylon itself into a huge and important city, and a major centre of religion and culture; a status it would keep for over a thousand years.

 

[JLG]

6)

Assyria was the name given to the region of northern Mesopotamia. It had been part of the Akkadian empire, but later established its independence. In the 1300s the Assyrians became expansionistic and warlike, and by 1077 BCE they had conquered all the way to Syria and the Mediterranean, as well as forcing Babylonia into vassalage. After a brief period of decline Assyria had a resurgence (the so-called 'Neo-Assyrian Empire') and between 911 and 612 BCE was the most powerful empire in the Middle East, stretching from Egypt to Persia.

Babylon and Assyria could both be described as successor-states to the Akkadian Empire; their people spoke the Akkadian language and their religions incorporated Akkadian and even Sumerian elements.

The Chaldeans were nomads from the Syria and the Levant, speaking a language related to Aramaic, who migrated into Mesopotamia around 900 BCE and settled in the far south of the region, assimilating into the local customs and learning Akkadian. By 780 they were powerful enough to make the first of several attempts to control Babylon (which at that time was a vassal state under the Assyrian empire, not independent).

In 620 the Chaldean leader Nabopolassar finally managed to conquer Babylon. In alliance with the Medes and Persians he defeated Assyria and won full independence. His son Nebuchadnezzar turned Babylon, under Chaldean rule, into a powerful empire, stretching as far as the border of Egypt. It was Nebuchadnezzar who destroyed Solomon's Temple and deported the Jews to Babylon. The so-called 'Neo-Babylonian' or Chaldean empire fell in 539 BCE when it was conquered by Achaemenid Persia.

 

[JLG]

7)

Uruk and Ur are two important ancient cities of Sumer, in Mesopotamia, but there are key differences between them. Uruk is considered one of the world's first cities and was a center of political and economic power. Ur, on the other hand, was a more trade-oriented city and played an important role in Sumer's history.

Uruk:

It is one of the oldest cities in the world, with evidence of settlements dating back to 4000 BC.

Ur:

It was an important city, but not as large as Uruk.

It was located in a strategic area for trade, near the Persian Gulf.

It was the religious center of the city, with a large ziggurat dedicated to Nanna, the moon god.

It played an important role in Sumer's history, especially in times after Uruk's decline.

In short, Uruk was a pioneering city in the history of urbanization, while Ur was an important commercial and religious center in Sumer.

 

[JLG]

8)

What is the difference between Ur and Uruk?

Both were located in Lower Mesopotamia, but were independent city-states. Uruk was the larger city-state and was founded around 4500 BC, while Ur, located near the Persian Gulf, was built around 3800 BC.

 

[JLG]

9)


The city of Ur and Uruk

Among the strongest of the Sumerian city states were Ur and Uruk.

Ur was situates near the Persian gulf and profited from maritime trade with civilizations to the east. The city itself, surrounded by a massive defensive wall of mud brick and contained 30,000 people. Near the center of the city of Ur, stood a lofty temple dedicated to the moon god, Nanna.

From the beginning, Ur was an important trade center owing to its location at a pivotal point where the Tigris and Euphrates run into the Persian Gulf. Archaeological excavations have substantiated that, early on, Ur possessed great wealth and the citizens enjoyed a level of comfort unknown in other Mesopotamian cities. As with other great urban complexes in the region, the city began as a small village which was most likely led by a priest or priest-king.Uruk had more than 50,000 inhabitants.

 

[JLG]

10)

Uruk was one of the most important cities (at one time, the most important) in ancient Mesopotamia. According to the Sumerian King List, it was founded by King Enmerkar sometime around 4500 BCE. Located in the southern region of Sumer (modern day Warka, Iraq)

It is considered the first true city in the world, the origin of writing, the first example of architectural work in stone and the building of great stone structures, the origin of the ziggurat, and the first city to develop the cylinder seal which the ancient Mesopotamians used to designate personal property or as a signature on documents. Considering the importance the cylinder seal had for the people of the time, and that it stood for one’s personal identity and reputation, Uruk could also be credited as the city which first recognized the importance of the individual in the collective community. The city was continuously inhabited from its founding until c. 300 CE when, owing to both natural and man-made influences, people began to desert the area. It lay abandoned and buried until excavated in 1853 CE by William Loftus for the British Museum.

 

[JLG]

11)

The development of cities in Mesopotamia was a gradual process that began with agricultural settlements that developed into urban centers, driven by the division of labor, irrigated agriculture, and the specialization of labor. The first cities emerged in southern Mesopotamia, such as Eridu and Uruk, and were characterized by large temples and palaces, as well as the construction of irrigation systems and canals.

Stages of Development:

Agricultural Settlements:

Initially, Mesopotamia was a region of small agricultural settlements.

Characteristics of Mesopotamian Cities:

City-States:

The geography and nature of the region fostered the development of independent city-states.

Emergence of Cities:

Beginning around 5000 BC, some of these settlements began to grow and develop urban characteristics, such as the division of labor and the construction of public buildings.

 

[JLG]

12)

Development of Urbanization:

Urbanization spread rapidly, driven by irrigated agriculture, the specialization of labor, and the need to organize the production and distribution of goods.

City-States:

The cities of Mesopotamia, such as Eridu, Uruk, Nippur, Kish, and later Uruk, became city-states, with their own governments, laws, and religious belief systems.

Empires:

Over time, some city-states, such as those in the Akkad region, managed to unify other regions, forming empires.

Temples and Palaces:

Temples and palaces were the centers of religious, political, and economic life in cities.

Irrigation Systems:

Irrigation systems, with canals and dams, were essential for agriculture and urban development.

Division of Labor and Specialization:

The division of labor and the specialization of labor were fundamental to the economic and social development of cities. Writing:

The invention of cuneiform writing allowed for the administration and recording of transactions and knowledge.

Architecture:

Mesopotamian architecture was characterized by the construction of monumental buildings, such as ziggurats, and urban planning.

 

[JLG]

Additional Elements 1)

In ancient Babylon, the arts of divination were very important practices. They were not based on riddles, but on a system of observation, measurement, collection, and testing similar to modern scientific principles. Extispicia, the interpretation of the internal organs of sacrificed animals, and prophecy, the interpretation of divine messages, were common practices. Extispicia, in particular, was considered more important than prophecy in political and military matters. According to the Journal of Production Services, the Babylonians believed that signs from heaven and earth could provide information about the future, allowing them to make informed decisions.

 

[JLG]

Additional Elements 2)

In ancient Babylon, the number 3 was not simply a number, but had important cultural and religious significance. The number 3 appears in various traditions, such as that of the three main gods Anu, Bel, and Ea, who represent Heaven, Earth, and the Abyss. It is also found in myths and tales, such as the three wishes, the three goats, the three bears, and the three little pigs.

Furthermore, the number 3 was fundamental in geometry and trigonometry. The Babylonians used the number 3 to calculate areas, volumes, and the positions of celestial bodies.