Major historical events~
- The earliest versions of the Epic of Gilgamesh are Sumerian and date back to the Third Dynasty (2150-2000BC).
- Was written in Sumerian cuneiform
- It is believed that smaller folklore, myths and legends are credited to the creation of the complete work
The more known Akkadian "standard version" was also written in Cuneiform somewhere around 1300-1000 B.C. out of twelve different tablets
Gilgamesh; Time & Place~
- Written as an Akkadian poem on clay tablets, Gilgamesh serves as one of the oldest works of literature, being composed around 2,000 b.c. and was later revised nearly 1,000 years later
Passage 2~ the gods made all the decisions
- The people of Uruk refer to the gods for all their decisions in life.
- Originated from ancient Mesopotamia. It is important not to target certain Mesopotmian beliefs because, Throughout time Mesopotamian ideas about afterlife transformed.
- Their gods were all powerful & could grant people godly features.
- The story takes place in 2700 B.C. in Mesopotamia.
- Each god was referred to for specific needs.
- "Nintu, the great Mother Goddess who had fashioned the first human being out of clay, had also created Gilgamesh. Radiant Shamash, god of the sun, had given him great beauty. Adad, god of storms, had given him great courage..."
Summary~
- We are introduced to an epic hero named Gilgamesh, who is two-thirds god and one-third man.
- He is characterized as strong, beautiful, and wise. He built magnificent architecture for his city.
- Began to use his power as a despot.
- Used force labor, and began raping women.
- The gods created Enkidu, who was just as impressive as Gilgamesh. Enkidu was created to challenge and keep Gilgamesh in order.
- Enkidu and Gilgamesh became great friends, and set out on many adventures.
Passage 3~ Death is controlled by the gods.
" My friend listen to my dream. "The great gods, Anu and Enlil, wise Ea and radiant Shamash met together. Anu said to Enlil, 'because Gilgamesh and Enkidu have killed Humbaba and the Bull of Heaven, The one who removed the cedars from the mountain must die!' Enlil replied, 'Gilgamesh will not die, but Enkidu should die."'
Passage 1~ Epic hero experiences tragic loss
- Enkidu, a human who lives among the wilderness, is created to change Gilgamesh's cruel ways
- He decides to challenge Gilgamesh in battle
- Although Enkidu loses the battle, the two become great friends, go on adventures (battling any who stand in their way) and eventually fight the Bull of the Heavens
- Angrily, the Gods decide Enkidu must die as punishment
- The tragic loss of his beloved friend sparks Gilgamesh's desire to obtain immortality
"Gilgamesh's heart overflowed with grief and loneliness when Enkidu died"...He said, "An evil demon has robbed me of my dearest friend"..."And once you are gone, I will let my hair grow long and roam over the grassy plains clad in a lion skin."
Continued...
- Ishtar the goddess of love tries seducing Gilgamesh and he rejects her.
- Anu god of the sky, sends down the bull of heaven bringing along seven years of famine.
- After the gods meet they decide they have to punish one of the two friends and decide to punish Enkidu.
- Enkidu becomes very ill and shares his visions of the underworld with Gilgamesh.
- Afraid of losing his own life Gilgamesh searches for ways to avoid death.
- In the end Gilgamesh accepts the fact that he can't live forever. He begins to realize that his city is the closest thing to immortality.
Works Cited
Kramer, Samuel Noah. "Gilgamesh." Encyclopedia
Americana. Grolier Online, 2015. Web. 28 Oct. 2015.
Mastin, Luke. "Epic of Gilgamesh." Classical
Literature. N.p., 2009. Web. 27 Oct. 2015.
Roberts, J. J. M. "Gilgamesh, Epic of." Grolier
Multimedia Encyclopedia. Grolier Online, 2015. Web. 29 Oct. 2015.
Rosenberg, Donna. "Gilgamesh." World An
Anthology of the Great Myths and Epics. Lincolnwood, IL: NTC Pub. Group, 1994. 26-56. Print.
The Epic of Gilgamesh
by: Amanda Niewinski, Taylor McGuinness, & Dan Erickson