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Explore the ancient Mesopotamian civilization in modern-day Iraq, home to the legendary Epic of Gilgamesh. Discover the Sumerian, Akkadian, and Babylonia civilizations, including Hammurabi's legal code and Ashurbanipal's library. Follow Gilgamesh, a demigod on a quest against death, and his loyal companion Enkidu as they journey through trials and encounter the gods' wrath. Learn about the epic flood story and Utnapishtim's immortal life. Unravel the tale of Gilgamesh's quest for eternal youth and the ultimate return home.
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Mesopotamia The Key to Epic of Gilgamesh
Mesopotamia • Location: modern day Iraq • Formation: fertile crescent between the Tigris and Euphrates rivers • Civilizations: Sumerian, Akkadian, Babylonia
Sumerian cities: Ur and Uruk-- surrounded by walls Sumerian writing: pictographic--improved into cuneiform Hammurabi-- first legal code Assyrian/Akkadian-overthrew Sumerians Greatest King: Ashurbanipal His library at Nineveh contained the tablets with the Epic Deciphered by George Smith Discovery of the Epic
George Smith’s Discovery • An account of a great flood • Known as “The Deluge Tablets” • Funded a return trip-- • Found all 12 tablets of the Epic- but died
The Epic of Gilgamesh A Protest Against Death
Gilgamesh • 2/3 god; 1/3 man • Built walls of Uruk • Perfect body • Courageous • Went on a journey-- wrote down his story • HE is the one telling the story
Enkidu • Gilgamesh’s loyal sidekick • Ashamed to have been cursed by a goddess
Gilgamesh’s Reaction • Long speech to people and things of Uruk • Rages like a lion • Tears out his hair and throws off his clothes • Acts like this for 7 days and 7 nights • Buries Enkidu when “worm fastened to him” • Afraid of his own death • Goes in search of Utnapishtim
The Gods were angry because of all of the BABEL Enlil encouraged the gods to exterminate mankind Ea warned Utnapishtim about the flood thru a dream Utnapishtim “ironically” told everyone that Enlil was mad at him and would “rain abundance upon everyone else” Utnapishtim built a barque The Story of the Flood
Utnapishtim’s Barque • 120 cubits • 7 decks • Family (kin), gold, wild and tame beasts • Prepared just in time for the storm
The Storm • Gods were even terrified of the storm • Ishtar regrets exterminating mankind • 7th day storm stops • 7 days the boat rests • Dove, swallow, raven
Utnapishtim’s actions • Build a sacrifice: 7 cauldrons • Ea to Enlil-- punishment too harsh • Enlil grants Utnapishtim immortal life
Utnapishtim tells Gilgamesh of a plant “the Old Men are young again” grants eternal youth Gilgamesh ties stones to his feet and retrieves the plant Gilgamesh plans to give plant to old men first While bathing, a serpent steals the plant The serpent loses his skin Gilgamesh returns home disappointed Gilgamesh looks at his accomplishments and writes the story down The Return