Social Structure of Mesopotamia

Kings and Ruling Elite: In ancient Mesopotamia, there were kings who were the highest leaders in society. They were very powerful and had control over everything. They were seen as special rulers, almost like gods, and they had important duties. They had to make sure that everyone followed the rules, kept the kingdom safe, and made fair decisions. The kings were in charge of everything and had the final say in how things were done. 

Priests and Priestesses: In ancient Mesopotamia, there were special people called priests and priestesses who had important roles in the temples. They were like the messengers between the people and the gods. They performed religious ceremonies, like rituals, and helped with important decisions by interpreting signs from the gods. They were in charge of everything related to religion in the city-state. Some of the priests who were very important also had jobs in the government and had power in making decisions. 

Free Citizens: In ancient Mesopotamia, there were people called free citizens who were like the middle class. They had different jobs like making things, selling goods, farming, and other important jobs. These citizens had special rights, like owning their own things, trading with others, and being part of the legal and economic activities of the city. They were the hardworking people who helped the cities grow and become prosperous. They played a big role in making the city a good place to live. 

Slaves: In ancient Mesopotamia, there was something called slavery. Slavery meant that some people were owned by others and didn't have the same freedom as everyone else. These slaves were often captured during wars or became slaves because they owed money. They had to do hard work like farming, building, and taking care of homes and temples. The worst part was that slaves didn't have any rights and had to do whatever their owners told them. They couldn't make choices for themselves and had to rely on their owners for everything they needed.

Dependent Laborers: In ancient Mesopotamia, there were other workers called dependent laborers. They were a bit like tenant farmers who worked on someone else's land. Unlike free citizens, they didn't have as much freedom, but they had responsibilities to the person who owned the land or the temple. These laborers would either pay rent or give a share of the crops they grew as a way of paying for using the land. They worked hard to take care of the land and make sure it produced good crops. 

Outcasts: In the social pyramid of Mesopotamia, there were people at the bottom who were called outcasts. These were individuals who were excluded from the rest of society because of certain reasons. Outcasts could include people who had broken the law, owed money, or didn't behave in the way society expected. They were often seen as different and faced challenges because they were not accepted by others. Outcasts didn't have the same opportunities and support as others in society, and they had limited access to resources and help when they needed it. It was not easy for them to move up in the social pyramid and be accepted by others.