As an Athenian companion presents “The Epic of Gilgamesh” to his well rounded historian, general, and philosophical mind Thucydides, I believe there to be a strong sense of strong doubt and ridicule from their beloved man of many trades. It comes off fairly obvious that the father of scientific history would cast such doubt on a poem like this. Thucydides’ ideas, regarding history, human nature, politics, are polar opposite to those stated in the poem. Regarding history, Thucydides is considered the founder of scientific history. In History of the Peloponnesian War, Thucydides kicks off with stating he strictly sticks to facts, without exaggeration to better the story. Thucydides believes those who don’t study the past are doomed to repeat
…show more content…
It tells a story of how man cannot simply accept however ultimately come to the only guarantee in life other than taxes, even if your two-third god. It also shows mans devotion to getting what he wants. It shows us how even your worst enemies can become your best friends. An example is Gilgamesh and Enkidu. The characters both believed to be one of a kind, however when brought together Gilgamesh “Saw himself in the other, just as Enkidu saw Himself in Gilgamesh" (Gilgamesh,24). It is both logical and reasonable to say the entire narrative is based off of this friendship. Thucydides would laugh at this. While Gilgamesh talks about the bond of two enemies turned brothers, Thucydides has a more pessimistic view. He believes greed, self interest and the dream of power drive people to poor decision making. Thucydides pinpoints these human qualities as problematic since they lead to poor decisions. Thucydides states “It will be enough for me, however, if these words of mine are judged useful by those who want to understand clearly the events which happened in the past and which will, at some time or other and in much the same ways, be repeated in the future. My work is not a piece of writing designed to meet the taste of an immediate public, but was done to last forever (Thucydides, 22). He continues to be pessimistic about peoples faulty motives of greed and honor. He continues on this …show more content…
For starters Gilgamesh is a scientific and historical mess. Not to mention he is also dubbed the father of political reasoning. meanwhile Gilgamesh is sleeping with newly weds because “god said to”. Finally, Thucydides is extremely pessimistic on human nature, while Gilgamesh is a tale of human natures finest. Thucydides wouldn't make it half way through this
It tells a story of how man cannot simply accept however ultimately come to the only guarantee in life other than taxes, even if your two-third god. It also shows mans devotion to getting what he wants. It shows us how even your worst enemies can become your best friends. An example is Gilgamesh and Enkidu. The characters both believed to be one of a kind, however when brought together Gilgamesh “Saw himself in the other, just as Enkidu saw Himself in Gilgamesh" (Gilgamesh,24). It is both logical and reasonable to say the entire narrative is based off of this friendship. Thucydides would laugh at this. While Gilgamesh talks about the bond of two enemies turned brothers, Thucydides has a more pessimistic view. He believes greed, self interest and the dream of power drive people to poor decision making. Thucydides pinpoints these human qualities as problematic since they lead to poor decisions. Thucydides states “It will be enough for me, however, if these words of mine are judged useful by those who want to understand clearly the events which happened in the past and which will, at some time or other and in much the same ways, be repeated in the future. My work is not a piece of writing designed to meet the taste of an immediate public, but was done to last forever (Thucydides, 22). He continues to be pessimistic about peoples faulty motives of greed and honor. He continues on this …show more content…
For starters Gilgamesh is a scientific and historical mess. Not to mention he is also dubbed the father of political reasoning. meanwhile Gilgamesh is sleeping with newly weds because “god said to”. Finally, Thucydides is extremely pessimistic on human nature, while Gilgamesh is a tale of human natures finest. Thucydides wouldn't make it half way through this