THE EPIC OF GILGAMESH

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THE EPIC OF GILGAMESH
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The Epic of Gilgamesh

• Explores Mysteries of Mankind
• Illuminates Understanding of the Human Condition
  on a Universal Level

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The Work

• 12 Clay Tablets
• Written n Akkadian and Semitic Languages (Hebrew
  and Arabic)
• Found in all Languages Written in Cunnieform
• Story Evolved over 1000 years
• Story Vanished Names of Cities and People
  Disappeared
• http//www.usfca.edu/westciv/Mesochro.htmld

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CunnieformAncient Writing

• http//www.wsu.edu8080/dee/GLOSSARY/CUNEI.HTM
• http//www.fordham.edu/halsall/ancient/asbook03.ht
  mlAncient20Middle20East

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Example of Letter and Envelope
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Example of Ancient Seal
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Ishtar Places Her Right Foot on the Lion in This
Cylindrical Seal
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Map of Mesopotamia
Modern Mesopotamia
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Map of Ancient Mesopotamia
Nippur is Sacred City of Enlil
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Art and Music
Harpist
Pazuzu Demon Scorpion Man
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The Epic of GilgameshExplores Issues

• Mans Relationship to the Gods
• Mans Relationship to Nature
• Mans Relationship to Other Men

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Themes in the Epic

• Friendship
• Quest for immortality
• Recognition
• Immortality f Art

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Epics Prologue

• Emphasizes
• Wisdom Acquired in Life
• Monuments Erected Which Last For Centuries

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Gilgamesh the God and Man

• Bad Ruler
• Arrogant Person
• Oppressive to His People
• Brutal to Friend and Foe

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Enkidu

• Created by Gods as a Match for Gilgamesh
• Seduced by a Harlot
• Tamed by Civilization
• Possesses the Best of Man and Beast
• Suffers and Dies for the Sins of Gilgamesh
• (rejection of Ishtar)

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First Adventure

• Slay Humbaba
• Giant of Cedar Forest of the Living

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Second Adventure

• Gilgamesh Rejects Ishtar
• Ishtar Sends Bull of Heaven Against People of
  Uruk
• Gilgamesh and Enkidu Destroy It
• Enkidu Dies a Painful, Slow, Pathetic Death

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Enkidus Death Awaken Gilgamesh

• Emptiness of Mortality in Spite of Worldly Fame
• Search for immortality

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Discovery

• Secrets of Immortality from Utnapishtim
• Flood Story
• Universal Story

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Journey

• Pass Fierce Lions Who Guard Path

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Epic Adventures

• Tunnel Brings Him to a Garden of Paradise
• Dangerous Voyage to Dilmun
• Hears Utnapishtims Story
• Fails Test of Potential Immortality

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Fails 2 Tests of Potential Immortals

• Cant Remain Awake for 6 Days and 7 Nights
• Loses Plant of Immortality to the Serpent

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Return to Uruk

• Empty Handed
• Knows His Wordly Endeavors Will Endure
• Has Become Wiser

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What Does the Story Mean To Us

• How Did the Ancient People of Mesopotamia Live?
• What Experiences Related Through the Story are
  Similar to Experiences of Man Today?
• What Role Does God Play in the Attitudes, Values
  and Beliefs of the People of Ancient Uruk?