In the advanced eschatology of the Babylonians the demons play a minor part.

It is with the gods that the dead man must make his peace.

Their protection assured, he has little to fear; but the demons of the lower world frequently ascend to the upper regions to afflict the living.

Against them precautions must be taken similar to the means employed for ridding one's self of the baneful influence of the disease-and pain-bringing spirits.

Reference has already been made to the spirits that belong to the higher phases of Mesopotamian culture,--those that have a share in the production of works of skill and art.