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The Epic of Gilgamesh c. 2000 B.C.E Author Anonymous; story was crafted and reworked by various Mesopotamian cultures including the Sumerians, Akkadians, Babylonians, and Assyrians; original story likely dates back to around the time of King Gilgamesh of Uruk (c. 2,700 BC); Language & Form Epic poem - 3500 lines. Originally in the Sumerian language, written down with cuneiform characters on clay tablets found at Nippúr in Mesopotamia and dating back to around 2,000 BC; Synthetic Standard Version based on the 12-tablet Akkadian version of the poem found in the 25,000-tablet library of the Assyrian king Ashurbanipal (668-627 BC) at Niniveh. Synopsis The Epic of Gilgamesh is the story of King Gilgamesh of Uruk who oppresses his people. As punishment, the gods send him a companion, Enkidu, who is his mirror image and becomes his good friend. Together, Gilgamesh and Enkidu defy the gods by killing the giant Humbaba, cutting down the sacred cedar forest which he guards, and killing the Bull of Heaven. Enkidu has ominous dreams of the destiny of tyrants who become slaves in the House of Death. Enkidu finally dies of an illness sent by the gods. Horrified by Enkidu's death and the prospect of his own demise, Gilgamesh undertakes a quest for immortality which brings him to the abode of Utnapishtim, a virtuous man who obeys the gods and was saved by them from the Great Flood. Utnapishtim puts Gilgamesh to various tests which he fails and eventually sends him away, assuring him that he cannot escape death. A humbled Gilgamesh returns to Uruk and orders his story to be inscribed in stone. Main Issues Earliest known literary work. Epic criticizes tyranny, oppression, violence, conquest, and the ambitions of the powerful and promotes instead the values of a simple life of rest and enjoyment of the pleasures of human companionship, love, food, and drink. Central idea of the epic is a carpe diem ("seize the day") theme. Pro-nature, proto-environmentalist stance of the poem. Sumerians, the inventors of civilization, appear to have had misgivings about the implications of the alienation of human beings from nature and the victimization of nature by civilized people. Epic expresses a belief in a divine justice, order, or balance of things requiring punishment in kind for transgressions such as violence, cruelty, pride/hubris, the oppression of others, and the destruction of nature. Such beliefs are embodied in the story in the wrath of the god Enlil and the concept of Namtar (evil fate) and are likely origins/prototypes of later notions such as Babylonian Lex Talionis ("eye for an eye"), the Greek Moira, Hindu/Buddhist Karma, and the Christian Golden Rule. Ancient Sumerian proverb: "you go and take the field of the enemy; the enemy comes and takes your field" The Epic of Gilgamesh Read the portion of the Gilgamesh story in which Utanapishtim tells the flood story. (Go to http://www.ancienttexts.org/library/mesopotamian/gilgamesh/ and click on Tablet XI.) Then, answer the following questions: 1. Summarize what happened in this story. 2. What does this story tell us about Sumerian religion – about their gods and beliefs? This should remind you of the biblical story of Noah’s flood. Next, read Genesis chapters 6-9, the story of Noah, and answer these questions: 1. Summarize what happened in this story. 2. Describe some of the parallels and differences between the story of Noah and the flood and the story that Utanapishtim tells in the Epic of Gilgamesh? COMPARE extent of flood who orders flood and why hero and hero’s character description of the boat and passengers after the flood Genesis Gilgamesh 3. Do you think the differing belief structures – one polytheistic, one monotheistic – the cause of some of the differences? Explain. 4. Which story do you believe came first? Why? 5. . How do the texts reflect their society’s religious beliefs, political situation, culture, or another aspect of the society? 6. Was there a great flood? Is the story based on real events?