Abstract This paper seeks to understand the historical implications within the "Epic of Gilgamesh". We can see the philosophy of the Akkadians, as the authors of the text, becoming the central role in the theme of unrealistic strength portrayed by Gilgamesh.
Abstract This paper deals with the importance of the study of the "Gilgamesh" epic as a means to study the textual history and development of ancient narratives, because it's the only Mesopotamian epic that is this well attested from so many different periods. A short summary of the epic is given, followed by a discussion of its development from a collection of Sumerian tales into the standard Akkadian version that we know today.
Outline
Summary of the Gilgamesh Epic
The "Moral of the Story"
The Development of the Gilgamesh Epic in the Different Versions
The Authorship and Composition of the Gilgamesh Epic
From the Paper "But there is more to the story than this. In this Old Babylonian version Enkidu and Gilgamesh are both portrayed quite differently from their Sumerian counterparts and are already closer to how we encounter them in the standard version. Enkidu starts out as a wild, untamed creature, who is tamed and introduced into civilization where he submits himself to the authority of the king (Gilgamesh). They eventually become best friends and when Enkidu dies, Gilgamesh submits entirely to grief. He experiences a "dark night of the soul" whereby he withdraws from society and lives on the steppe like a wild animal. He eventually comes to terms with the mortality (and humanity) of humans and re-enters the city as a transformed being."
This paper discusses the religion and society of the earliest known human civilization, Mesopotamia, which is located in the region between the Tigris and Euphrates Rivers in present-day Iraq.
Abstract This paper explains that Mesopotamia, named "land between two rivers" by the Greeks, is the generic name for many different civilizations that existed in this area over a long period, but were relatively similar in their cultures, religions, and societies. The oldest is the Sumerian, followed by Akkadian, Babylonian, and the Assyrian civilizations. The author points out that the importance of religion in the lives of the ancient Mesopotamian people was overwhelming and affected all aspects of their lives because, in the absence of other fields of intellectual discourse that are available to the modern man, only religion could provide the Mesopotamians an explanation of the forces that governed their existence. The paper relates that, although women's position in the society varied between city-states and changed over time, the Mesopotamian society basically was highly patriarchal, with the wife's position in the household firmly below that of her husband.
Table of Contents
Religion
Importance
Sources of Information
Sumerian Beliefs
Developmental Stages of the Mesopotamian Religion
Mesopotamian Religion
Temples
Mesopotamian Society
Caste System
A Patriarchal Society
From the Paper "The characteristics of the Mesopotamian society and the way in which developed were largely determined by the geography of the region. The rich fertile soil of the area, which was the result of the rich silt and water provided by the Tigris and Euphrates rivers, attracted settlers to Mesopotamia. The rich land meant the creation of food surpluses, which allowed some settlers to move away from agriculture and into trade. It also resulted in the growth of the population that, in turn, gave rise to the process of urbanization. Most of the land was owned by temples and the king, which was "leased" out to workers who were provided with the land and tools in return for part of the profit."
Abstract In this article, the writer looks at the subject of death among human beings. The writer points out that as far as one is aware, human beings are the only creatures who are aware of their own mortality. The writer claims that it is due to this knowledge that every known culture has created some mythology or religion regarding death and the underworld. In this paper, the writer discusses the relevant Sumero-Akkadian, Ugaritic, Biblical, Hittite and Greek mythology.
From the Paper "As far as we know, human beings are the only creatures who are aware of their own mortality. In many ways, this is more of a curse than a blessing, as it dooms us to living our lives in the certain knowledge that one day we will die. It is no doubt because of this awful knowledge that every known culture has developed some or other kind of mythology or religion concerning the issues of death and the hoped-for (or feared) after-life."
Traces the development of civilizations from Mesopotamia and Egypt and the influence of the Hebrews on their societies, as seen in historical ancient documents.
Abstract Mesopotamia was the land of four primary civilizations: the Sumerian, the Akkadians, the Babylonian and the Assyrians. The paper shows that the Hebrews, like the Akkadians, belong to a group of people known as Semites and from there we can see the influence of Mesopotamian culture in some of the Hebrews traditions. The paper shows that during the same time, civilization began in Egypt. A distinct difference can be seen in the social, religious and political system from Mesopotamia and the link between the two civilizations are the Hebrews. The paper examines historical documents from all three societies - "The Epic of Gilgamesh", first passed on by word of mouth and later recorded by the Sumerians around the third millennium and finally edited and written down in cuneiform by the Babylonians; "Instructions of Kagemni", a set of etiquette amongst Egyptian noblemen and government executives; and finally the Holy Hebrew Bible ("Tanach"). The paper shows how the three societies are linked through proof in these documents.
From the Paper ""Hymn to Aton" reflects the political and social status of the time and adds to the importance of the aid of god to proper management of a territory and the people within. This was the first and only attempt of a Egyptian ruler to a monotheistic society. It could be argued that this could be an isolated attempt or that the Hebrews somehow influenced Amenhotep IV to this change. It is very important to consider this possibility since it would make the transferring of similar traditions between the Mesopotamians, the Egyptians and the Hebrews civilizations understandable.
The role of women is important and well respected in Egyptian civilization, perhaps more than Mesopotamian. The "Hymn to Aton" recognizes the importance of both sexes for procreation. This document is used just as the "Laws of Hammurabi" to better control his territory at a time when the clergy and the multitude of gods and temples are gaining popularity and, obviously, control."
Abstract In this paper the author looks back in time to the origins of writing and notes and shows that there is new archaeological evidence to suggest that the cuneiform system of writing existed even prior to the Sumer. The author then moves on to examine Egyptian forms for writing and various Semitic languages.
From the paper:
"More than 300 clay tablets with a variety of images on them have already been discovered by Dreyer. Among the symbols found on the tablets are scorpions with trees, scorpions with plants, stylized birds, dogs and fish and various other decorative plant-forms".
Abstract This essay describes how the art and culture of ancient Mesopotamia was defined by its climate and geographical locations. It also shows how the weather and geographical conditions affected wars and power in the region - and the reflection of this fact through art and artifacts found in the region.
From the Paper "Many believed that the south was the cradle of civilization until settlements dating back to around 5,000 B.C. were found in Northern Mesopotamia. Jarmo was the earliest of these settlements and was superseded by a series of cultures, Tell Hassuna, Samarra, and Tell Halaf. Tell Halaf was the most advanced of the early cultures (Mesopotamia pg). It is famous for Halaf ware, which is regarded as the finest prehistoric pottery in Mesopotamia (Mesopotamia pg). Halaf ware can be found at sites such as Neneveh and Tepe Gawra. While the north was making great advances in culture, ?civilization was just beginning in the south, particularly at Eridu."
