Dismantling of a Matriarchal Society and the Rise of a Patriarchal Society Essay Example

the beginning of the Enuma elish, Aspu ruled the sweet waters, while Tiamat ruled the salt waters. Both waters flowed together as one. Their duties as a god and goddess complemented each other, each to it's own. They equally shared their obligations, therefore, signifying an egalitarian society.

Because of climate changes, illnesses, and continuous lacks of food and shelter, hunters and gathers depended on oral tradition to maintain their culture. Their economics were simply hunting and gathering. Their religious practices targeted animism, a system of belief in nature and spirit in nature. Symbols such as cave painting, dancing, singing, jewelry making, and masks were part of their religious practices and also a part of their art/artifacts. Soon enough cultural advancements arose and a shift from hunting and gathering disintegrated and agrarian societies had begun.

Agrarian societies dated from 8000 to 3500 B. C. E. This civilization was no longer nomadic but domesticated. Instead of beings an egalitarian society they became a matriarchal society. They highly valued women, for women bore children to ensure their heredity. They were also used as a symbol of fertility. The story tells us that all the gods and goddesses gave recognition to Tiamat as the great goddess or mother goddess. They abided by the rules she laid down for them. The children feared her but they had great respected for her. “Ea tried his best to please his grandfather.

But as soon as he saw Tiamat and her forces, his heart filled with terror, and he could not summon the courage to face them. ” Artistically, pottery, utensil making and status of women developed. Their economics was

centered on the domestication of plants and animals. They anticipated fertility rituals and anthropomorphized gods and goddesses so that they can convey them. As the rise of civilization began, fertility and plant growth multiplied. Surplices of crops emerged and they no longer needed fertility rituals. They traded their many goods for art.

As their supply of goods increased there was also a need to protect these goods. Fences and boundaries were built but they did not suffice. As a result armies were formed and while the men were away they women stayed at home working. The rise of male domination deemphasized the role of women in society. It exited from a matriarchal society to a patriarchal society. Another change in the world order has occurred, men had become leaders and society follows along. In the Enuma Enish, the children began to become rebellious against the reign of their parents.

They soon became the center of distress and tragedy. No longer did they have respect neither for their parents nor to what they had been given. “Tiamat for all her weapons is only a women. ” They revolted and took matters into their own hands. As an individual, Marduk took out Tiamat from her highly dominating position and took the title. Marduks conquest of taking the title of a hero is a perfect example of the shift from being a matriarchal society to a patriarchal society. He restored organization back into the lives of the gods and goddesses of Babylonia.

As a result, the Enuma Elish is the perfect symbol that represents a shift in the world order, the dismantling of a matriarchal

society to the replacement of patriarchal concepts. The values of women became less and less essential to the rise of civilization. Tiamat achieved her job as a mother goddess and Mother Nature. She was of very much an important impact on the lives of her children and creation. The children were very chaotic for they were unappreciative of all that Tiamat had done for them. Marduk was very successful in the rise of a patriarchal society and enthusiastically fulfilled the rule of being supreme.