The first civilization of mankind was in Ancient Mesopotamia around 1450 BCE. Sumerians developed cuneiform markings by pressing figures into mud or clay tablets and from here created ideograms and groupings of letters in syllables. Once the syllabary code had become established, "Sumerian scribes set to work recording economic transactions, astronomical charts, religious poems and prayers, medical regimens local decrees, arithmetical calculations in addition to word lists (groups of related nouns),-four-legged animals" (Backman,14-5). These symbols and such stand for mankind's first recognized efforts to make meaning of the world and in addition provide interesting information on the beginning of time.
Mesopotamia, also known as, the land between the two rivers, a hostile environment so to speak, was where each city observed the formal recognition of a specific patron god. This was where it all began, "Summerian religion maintained that the gods had invented humans in order to serve them and perform the labor that they would otherwise have to do themselves; hence temple worship, involved prayer, the singing hymns, and offering the deities an array of gifts" (Backman,12-13). However, around 1800 -1700 BCE, the story of Abraham was when ethical monotheism became originated.
Abram was a poor man from Mesopotamia and one day a voice came from heaven and offered to make a deal with him. The Lord said to Abram, "Go forth from your native land and from your father's house to the land that I will show you. I will make you a great nation, and I will bless you; I will make your name great, and you shall be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you and curse him that curses you; and all the families of the earth shall bless themselves by you"(Backman, 69). This demonstrates ethical monotheism being that Abram agreed to worship only one God and in return he would make Abram, his family and friends special people and always look out for them.
