Monotheism Always Precedes Polytheism

July

Monotheism Always Precedes Polytheism

July 17, 2025

By B

This is an important concept. If true (if reason exists, it is), then many historical mysteries are resolved.

Another key concept is the SELF. If this is true, it explains why most monotheistic cultures appear dualistic. Yet, they are not. Often, religion exists to develop the individual and to manage the SELF.

This is the history of monotheistic religions, with other notable religions listed at the end to provide a more comprehensive picture.

Beginning	Religion (Monotheism)	Notes	Representation	Management of the SELF	Civilization
5400 BCE	Ubaid/Early Sumerian Monotheism, of sorts, was the religion in the early period of the Ubaid and Sumerian history.	5400-2900 was the inventive period for Sumer. For example, proto cuneiform emerged circa 3500–2900.	An	Ubaid Inanna	Uruk -> Ur.
4000 BCE	The End of the Ubaid Period	End of the Ubaid period (Ubaid V, 4200–3900 or 3700 BC). Uruk Period
4000 BCE	Departure from the Garden and the Beginning of Earth According to Genesis More details.	Some literal interpretations of the Bible suggest the universe was created around 6,000 years ago. Other biblical interpretations, such as the Hebrew calendar, place creation around 5500–3760 BCE, while the Islamic and Byzantine traditions offer different dates as well. — Google AI. 4004 BC – (Creation) The Ussher chronology is a 17th-century chronology of the history of the world formulated from a literal reading of the Old Testament by James Ussher, the Archbishop of Armagh and Primate of All Ireland.
3500 –	Polytheism — Middle to Late Sumerian This led eventually to Egyptian, Assyrians, Greeks, Romans, etc. polytheism. So many later cultures were polytheistic. This is a byproduct, no doubt, of Sumerian culture after the loss of Ubaid’s monotheism.		Anu in polytheism: Mesopotamian Gods and Goddesses Enlil, Enki, Ninhursag (Ki, Mami, etc.) Utu (Shamash), Nanna (Sin), Ereshkigal, Nergal, Ninurta, Nabu, Dumuz, Ashur. Adad (Iškur), The Anunnaki, Others.	+ Sumerian Inanna
2900 BCE	The Gilgamesh Flood https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Utnapishtim Evidence for Actual Flood?? Flood at Ur	Uta-napishtim is the eighth of the antediluvian kings in Mesopotamian legend. He would have lived around 2900 BC, corresponding to the flood deposit at Shuruppak between the Jemdet Nasr and Early Dynastic levels. Notably, 2900 BCE marked the rise of kings in Sumer for the various city-states. This is the beginning of control and the end, in large part, to Ubaid/Sumerian innovation. King Hammurabi (1792 BCE) would bring some innovation back with the last Sumerian gasp of monotheism (Marduk).
2348 BC or 2349 BC	Biblical Flood (estimated)	2384 BC – The Corruption of the Kings King Lugalanda (c. 2384 – c. 2378 BC): Lugalanda is known for his unpopularity due to his perceived corruption and oppression of the citizens of Lagash, which ultimately led to Urukagina’s rise to power and reforms. The palace bureaucracy imposed heavy taxes and seized property from citizens. Officials unjustly confiscated animals and grain. Temple properties were appropriated for personal use. Rich and powerful preying on the poor and vulnerable. —— Soon after, King Urukagina (c. 2378 – c. 2372 BC) enacted reforms representing a landmark in ethical governance. —— Lagash nevertheless declined. Lugalzagesi (c. 2358 – c. 2334 BC) from Umma, a neighboring city-state, perceiving weakness, attacked Lagash, and eventually all of Sumer. The Biblical Flood happened in the middle of the Lugalzagesi period. Maybe it was wishful thinking for the author of Genesis. As for a literal flood, there were many floods in Mesopotamia (see Gilgamesh).
2000 BCE	Judaism	Judaism, the world’s oldest monotheistic religion, is believed to have originated with the covenant between God and Abraham around 3,800 years ago in the Middle East. Abraham in Ur.	God	Culture, traditions. Queen of Heaven (Jewish community at Elephantine in Egypt). Jews do not believe in the devil in the same way as Christians. While the term “Satan” appears in Jewish texts, it generally refers to an adversary or accuser, often interpreted as a metaphor for the evil inclination within humans (yetzer hara) or as a heavenly prosecutor. Judaism does not typically view Satan as a separate, malevolent being with independent power, as is common in Christian theology.	Western Civilization
1792 BCE	Monotheism within polytheism	During Hammurabi’s rule (around 1792 BCE), Marduk rose to the status of a sky god and the supreme deity of the Babylonian religion. Hammurabi was the sixth king of Babylon, ruling from about 1792 to 1750 BCE. He attempted a return to monotheism, of sorts, with Marduk.	Marduk	In Babylonian mythology, the opposite of Marduk, the god of order and champion of the young gods, is often considered to be Tiamat, the goddess of chaos and the primordial sea. Marduk defeats Tiamat in the Enuma Elish, creating the world from her body. Another antagonistic figure, though less directly opposed, is Enmešarra, a poorly known figure associated with the Sebitti (a group of antagonistic deities).	Babylonian
500 – 700 BCE	Zoroastrianism	Zoroastrianism was founded by the prophet Zoroaster, also known as Zarathustra, likely in the 6th or 7th century BCE. He reformed the existing ancient Iranian polytheistic religion, introducing the concept of a single god, Ahura Mazda, and emphasizing ethical dualism (a struggle between good and evil)	Ahura Mazda	Angra Mainyu, representing evil.	Persia
0 – 100 CE	Christianity	Jesus, a Jewish teacher and preacher, lived and taught in Galilee and Judea during the 1st century. His ministry focused on proclaiming the coming of God’s Kingdom and emphasizing themes like love, forgiveness, and repentance.	God	Demonization of the SELF (satan) The Crucifixtion of the flesh -The Resurrection	Western Civilization
610 CE	Islam	Islam began in the 7th century CE, with the first revelations received by the Prophet Muhammad in Mecca, Saudi Arabia. These revelations, which began around 610 CE, are believed to be the word of God (Allah) and form the basis of the Quran, Islam’s holy book according to some Islamic texts and tradition	Allah	Strict Culture Islam has a figure known as Iblis, or Shaytan, who is considered the devil or Satan. Iblis was originally an angel-like being (Jinn) who disobeyed Allah’s command to prostrate before Adam, leading to his fall from grace and expulsion from paradise. He is seen as a tempter and deceiver who tries to lead humans away from the path of God.
For reference, the following are also some other recognizable religions that followed the monotheism of the Ubaid.
10,000 – 300 BCE	Shinto	Its origins are traced back to the Jōmon period (around 10,000 to 300 BCE), with elements further developing during the Yayoi period (300 BCE to 300 CE)
1500 BCE	Hinduism	Hinduism is generally believed to be the world’s oldest religion and was founded more than 4,000 years ago in the Indian Subcontinent. It’s difficult to trace its exact origin as it has no founder and is a compilation of several belief systems. Unlike Christianity or Judaism, Hinduism is not an organized religion. As such, it is sometimes referred to as the “family of religions” because of its accommodating nature. Hinduism was birthed out of a fusion of two cultures. At some point, around 1500 B.C., the Indo-Ayran people migrated to the Indus Valley, located in modern-day Pakistan, where their culture and language merged with the natives of that region. Hinduism evolved out of that unique context and grew to accommodate both cultures as they morphed into one people.
6th Century BCE	Jainism
6th century BCE	Taoism	Taoism is believed to have originated in China around the 6th century BCE. It’s primarily associated with the teachings of Lao Tzu (Laozi), whose ideas are reflected in the Tao Te Ching. Taoism emphasizes living in harmony with the Tao, often translated as “the Way” or “the Path”.
6th to 4th centuries BCE	Buddhism	Buddhism began in India around the 6th to 4th centuries BCE, founded by Siddhartha Gautama, who became known as the Buddha after his enlightenment. His teachings, which emphasize overcoming suffering and achieving inner peace, spread throughout Asia and beyond.
771-479 BCE	Confucianism	Confucianism originated in China during the Spring and Autumn period (771-479 BCE) with the teachings of Confucius, also known as Master Kong. Confucius systematized and refined existing Chinese philosophical and ethical thought, emphasizing social harmony, proper behavior, and respect for elders. While Confucius is credited with founding the tradition, he viewed himself as an interpreter of earlier Zhou Dynasty ideals.
1500 CE	Sikhism	Sikhism was born in the Punjab area of South Asia, which now falls into the present day states of India and Pakistan. The main religions of the area at the time were Hinduism and Islam. The Sikh faith began around 1500 CE, when Guru Nanak began teaching a faith that was quite distinct from Hinduism and Islam.