Mythology · 2
According to ancient Mesopotamian belief, what did the souls of the dead subsist on forever in the underworld?
Answer
Dust and clay
Mesopotamian texts describe the underworld, ruled by Ereshkigal, as a dark and dreary place where the dead ate dust and clay for eternity, with no reward or punishment based on how they had lived.
💡 Did you know?
The Mesopotamian underworld had no judgment or punishment—all souls, good and evil alike, became powerless shadows eating dust forever, regardless of earthly deeds.
Other options people guess
- Pomegranate seeds
- Ambrosia and nectar
- Bread left as offerings by the living
Topics
- mesopotamia
- underworld
- afterlife
- ancient-myths
Know your mythology trivia?
Play a free Mythology quiz and see how many you get right — no signup needed to start.
More Mythology facts
Mythology
In ancient Mesopotamian myth, what determined how harshly or kindly a soul was treated after entering the underworld?
The Mesopotamian underworld had no judgment or punishment—all souls, good and evil alike, became powerless shadows eating dust forever, regardless of earthly deeds.
Mythology
In Egyptian mythology, what is the name of the underworld or kingdom of the dead?
In Egyptian of the Dead contained illustrations and maps to guide souls through Duat's twelve perilous sections.
Mythology
In Greek mythology, who is the ferryman of the dead across the River Styx?
Charon's coin payment establishes payment for services as a universal concept in Western civilization.
Mythology
Which Irish sea-god was said to own a magical boat that could navigate itself without sails or oars?
Manannán mac Lir, the Irish sea-god, owned a self-navigating boat and a magical pig that could be killed and resurrected daily for feasts.
Mythology
In Ovid's account, which feature of Medusa did Athena turn into snakes as part of her curse?
Medusa wasn't always a monster. Ovid's Metamorphoses reveals she was a beautiful priestess cursed by Athena for being assaulted in her temple.
Mythology
According to Korean legend, which figure founded the ancient kingdom of Gojoseon in 2333 BCE?
Korean creation myth features Dangun founding Gojoseon in 2333 BCE through the union of a divine being and a bear-woman who transformed into human form—legitimizing a real kingdom's origins.