Health and disease have been important aspects of human life since the earliest times. The inhabitants of ancient Mesopotamia paid considerable attention to combating diseases and searching for methods that could help them recover and restore their health. Their medical practices were not based solely on the use of plants, medicines, and natural substances; rather, they were closely connected to religious beliefs and ideas concerning gods, demons, and invisible forces. The Mesopotamian people believed that some diseases resulted from physical and natural causes, while others could be associated with the anger of the gods, the influence of evil forces, or the commission of religious violations. These beliefs were reflected in numerous medical, diagnostic, and ritual cuneiform texts discovered in Mesopotamian cities, particularly Nineveh and Babylon. These texts provide a clear picture of the nature of medical and religious thought and reveal the existence of a healing system that combined practical knowledge and experience on the one hand, with rituals, incantations, and prayers on the other. The importance of studying the relationship between medicine and religious beliefs lies not only in understanding ancient methods of treatment but also in gaining insight into how the Mesopotamian people viewed disease and its causes, the position of the gods in their daily lives, and the role of religious institutions and healers in protecting society from diseases and health risks. It is worth noting that the inhabitants of Mesopotamia viewed disease as a phenomenon with multiple causes. Their explanations were not limited to physical changes affecting the human body; rather, they also associated certain illnesses with religious and spiritual influences. They believed that disease could result from the anger of one of the gods, the commission of a religious offense, or exposure to the influence of demons and harmful spirits. The prevailing belief was that human beings lived within a cosmic order governed by the gods and that maintaining harmony between humans and divine powers was essential for the stability of life. Therefore, disease was sometimes interpreted as a sign of a disruption in this relationship. This led individuals to seek ways to appease the gods or drive away the forces believed to have caused their illness. Nevertheless, this religious interpretation did not prevent the Mesopotamians from paying attention to physical symptoms, observing them, recording them, and classifying them. Medical texts reveal a clear knowledge of the symptoms of fever, pain, injuries, wounds, and disorders affecting various body organs. This demonstrates that the interpretation of disease in Mesopotamia combined medical observation with religious beliefs rather than relying on only one approach. Among the most important evidence of this interest are the diagnostic texts, which organized pathological signs and associated them with possible outcomes. These texts reflect an early attempt to systematize medical knowledge and interpret illnesses in a methodical manner. Diagnostic Texts and Their Role in Interpreting Diseases (Medical and Religious) 1. The Sakikkû Series (SA.GIG) The cuneiform series known as Sakikkû (SA.GIG) is considered one of the most important sources for understanding the nature of medical knowledge in Mesopotamia. It is a diagnostic and prognostic series that includes descriptions of disease symptoms and signs appearing on the patient's body, as well as predictions concerning the course and outcome of illnesses. Babylonian scholarly tradition attributes the organization of this series to the priest Esagil-kīn-apli, during the reign of King Adad-apla-iddina, in the eleventh century BCE. The importance of this series lies in the fact that it did not merely describe symptoms; it also attempted to connect the signs observed in patients with interpretations concerning the causes of disease. It further reflects the Mesopotamians' interest in understanding and classifying illnesses. 2. Incantation Texts Against Evil Spirits (Utukkū Lemnūtu) This series, whose name means "Evil Spirits," contains incantations and rituals intended to confront harmful entities believed to cause disease, fear, and human suffering. These texts illustrate an important aspect of religious beliefs concerning the causes of illness and the methods used to prevent it. They also demonstrate the role of religious rituals in the Mesopotamian approach to healing and protection. 3. The Maqlû Series: Ritual Texts Against Witchcraft The Maqlû series is considered one of the most prominent religious and ritual texts in Mesopotamia. It was specifically devoted to combating witchcraft and neutralizing its effects through a collection of incantations, prayers, and rituals performed by a ritual healer. These texts reveal the belief that certain cases of suffering and illness could result from acts of witchcraft and that overcoming them required the intervention of religious rituals alongside therapeutic procedures. 4. Lamaštu Texts: Protective Texts Against Harmful Beings These texts deal with the figure known as Lamaštu, who was associated in Mesopotamian beliefs with harming pregnant women, newborns, and children. They include incantations, rituals, and protective measures intended to safeguard mothers and children from her dangers. These texts are particularly important for studying the relationship between religious beliefs and maternal and child health in Mesopotamian society. 5. Purification Ritual Texts (Bīt Rimki) These texts address purification rituals that relied on water, bathing, prayers, and incantations, with the aim of removing ritual impurity and evil forces that might affect an individual. They demonstrate the importance of physical and spiritual purification in Mesopotamian religious thought, while highlighting the need to distinguish between ritual purification and direct medical treatment. #Al-Mustaqbal University – The first private university in Iraq