Epic of Gilgamesh

In this paper, I will be comparing two primary documents: The Epic of Gilgamesh and Code of Hammurabi. I have chosen these documents for the insight they gave us about Mesopotamia civilization, the world’s first civilization. They also have great importance in understanding and shaping contemporary society. The Epic of Gilgamesh was written around 2000 B.C.E and gives details about the society at that time. They are historically significant as they are the origins of civilization that shaped the…

The book of Genesis in the Old Testament of the Hebrew Bible has many similarities to the poem “The Epic of Gilgamesh” translated by Danny P. Jackson. These two pieces of literature originate as creation stories. The book of Genesis tells the story of how Yahweh created man and the earth. “The Epic of Gilgamesh” tells the story of the quest for immortality. “The Epic of Gilgamesh” dates back many years before the Bible and the book of Genesis, but many of the stories are similar. The book of…

Social values or what is considered socially acceptable changes over time, The Epic of Gilgamesh and the stories found in Hamilton’s Mythology reflect the social values present in the time in which these stories were written. Although of different origins, you will find that both in The Epic of Gilgamesh, which introduces us to the Mesopotamian culture, and the stories in Hamilton's Mythology that originate from ancient Greece have similar social values. Principals found in both texts include:…

reading The Epic of Gilgamesh and Antigone by Sophocles were able to draw a connection in the way both of these pieces view women in society. Both pieces show, women were once seen as frail beings that should stay in their places and be brought out just to please men. Fortunately, we as a society have come far in terms of women being viewed as more equal to men than in the late B.C. times but that does not mean women are finished gaining the same rights that men have. During The Epic of…

The “Epic of Gilgamesh” edited by N.K. Sanders tells the story of a hero that went on a long journey seeking immortality after his friend died, which implies that friendship is precious and valuable. To begin, Gilgamesh hears his friend Enkidu’s nightmare about dying which frightens him. The author writes, “Gilgamesh had peeled off his clothes, listened to his words and wept quick tears, Gilgamesh listened and tears flowed.” (25). When Gilgamesh heard that his friend going to dying, he cried at…

of a better mankind. A flood story is present in each culture, each story having a main character: Deucalion, Noah, and Utnapishtim surviving the flood in order to regenerate the world. Deucalion’s flood story, “Noah and the Flood”, and The Epic of Gilgamesh have numerous similarities, yet each story contains its own features to make it individual for its culture. Towards…

viewpoints. In this chapter of The Epic of Gilgamesh, Enkidu tells Gilgamesh of the nightmares he has. In his first nightmare the gods were angry with him and Gilgamesh. The gods wanted to punish them for killing Humbaba and the Bull of Heaven. Enkidu is the one that must be punished and his punishment is death. Soon after the dreams start, Enkidu becomes ill. Gilgamesh is so upset that he tries to plead with the gods to let Enkidu live. One morning Enkidu tells Gilgamesh about another dream he…

Allegiant This quote references the age old theme of power versus knowledge. In The Epic of Gilgamesh, a young king named Gilgamesh strives for immortality. Gilgamesh acted for his own glory, and was a tyrant over his own people. This made him act less like a person, and his greed was his hubris. Gilgamesh was power hungry, never straying from his hoarding habits, even in the wake of a friend’s death. Gilgamesh was an example of human corruption through power. With the greed he…

The Epic of Gilgamesh is a fascinating ancient story that portrays the ideas of friendship, death, and immortality. In this piece of literature, a handsome, powerful king named Gilgamesh, two thirds god and one third human, sets on a quest seeking eternal life. A lot of lessons can be learned from reading what this character goes through. He is a man who thinks highly of himself and abuses the great power that he has and later experiences several downfalls. He must deal with reality and face the…

Gilgamesh is the great king of Uruk and is consider being the strongest man on earth. He constructs extraordinary walls that surround the magnificent city of Uruk. He also builds a remarkable rampart and temples for the gods and goddesses. In the eyes of the people he is an exceptional king because he did all these things for the good of the people, but reality he did it to benefit himself. He wanted to demonstrate to the world that he is a hero, but to do so, he must accomplish numerous of…