Babylon was one on the later city-states (1,760 b.c.e.) than blossomed in this land between the Tigris and Euphrates rivers, known more generally as Mesopotamia.

Around 10,000 b.c.e the last Ice Age receded. By 6,400 b.c.e., agriculture was dawning in the river valleys Mesopotamia (and beer was invented). About 5,600 b.c.e., the Great Flood occurred an the Mediterranean broke into the low-lying Black Sea, once a fresh water lake.

A people known as Sumerians migrated to this land around 4,000 b.c.e. bringing with them the technology to irrigate the land. In 3,700 the wheel first appeared. To manage their prosperity around 3,300 b.c.e., they evolved writing, first for inventory and later for ideas and laws.

The Mother Goddess was Inanna (or Ishtar) and the story is told of her journey into the Underworld to meet her dark Sister, Ereshkigal. On her way, she surrendered the seven symbols of her being, died, and returned again whole.

The Epic of Gilgames is the earliest recorded stories of humankind. Gilgames dealt with gods and heroes and monsters and courtesans during the formation of civilization.

The Culture of Mesopotamia was one in which all were called to pursue their destiny and prosper. Society was held stable by the release of male sexual energy with the services of the Kulmasisu, or "ladies of numerous hearts," the Kezertu, or "ladies of curled hair," or the Sanhatu, "ladies of  flashy dress." Married women and those not available for such service were indicated by the wearing of a veil. 

In contract, our modern culture is held stable by repressed sexual energy redirected into enterprise. 

The Sumerians were surrounded by their Semite neighbors who adopted their culture.  Sumerian was held as the language of the educated, just an Latin was in medieval Europe.

Photo by Steve McCurry

Jewish tradition has it that Abraham was appalled at the commerciality and lust of Babylon. He packed up his family and moved West to the Mediterranean coast and the promised land of Canaan. Abraham's decedents became the founders of Judaism, Christianity, and Islam.  Each of these groups continues to have issues with sexuality, commerciality, women, veils, and goddesses.

Mesopotamia also gives us our earliest recorded look at the Goddess, before the Gods took over. Some women draw strength from exploring these ancient expressions of the Goddess.  They might reinvent some of the old ways in the light of our modern culture and add their personal touch to gain strength for the world in which they find themselves..