Epic of Gilgamesh One of the World’s Oldest Epics Author: Unknown

What is the Epic? One of the oldest works of literature One of the oldest works of literature Earliest version dates back 4,000 years Earliest version dates back 4,000 years Addresses concerns dealt with today such as friendship, heroism, mortality and the desire to control one’s destiny Addresses concerns dealt with today such as friendship, heroism, mortality and the desire to control one’s destiny

Gilgamesh Two parts god and one part human Two parts god and one part human King of Uruk King of Uruk Hero of this epic story Hero of this epic story Arrogant Arrogant Boastful Boastful Selfish Selfish Destructive Destructive

The Epic in Two Parts Part One, godlike side Part One, godlike side Uses superhuman powers Uses superhuman powers Performs amazing feats Performs amazing feats Defies gods Defies gods Part Two, human side Part Two, human side Faces unexpected limitations Faces unexpected limitations Shows human weakness Shows human weakness Develops human strengths Develops human strengths

Spiritual Beginnings When Gilgamesh learns about death and the afterlife, he journeys to the realm of the gods to get answers about his destiny. When Gilgamesh learns about death and the afterlife, he journeys to the realm of the gods to get answers about his destiny.

What is an Epic? A long story in poem form. A long story in poem form. An epic has a hero. An epic has a hero. The epic is the story of the hero's travels and his fights with monsters, gods, and bad guys The epic is the story of the hero's travels and his fights with monsters, gods, and bad guys Epics contain information about the culture that created them: religion, dress & ornaments, homes, weapons and war, roles of men and women, values, moral standards. Epics contain information about the culture that created them: religion, dress & ornaments, homes, weapons and war, roles of men and women, values, moral standards. Epics often contain clues to what the people who created them feared or did not understand: natural disasters, natural features (like boiling springs and water red with rust), death, the heavens, storms. Epics often contain clues to what the people who created them feared or did not understand: natural disasters, natural features (like boiling springs and water red with rust), death, the heavens, storms.

Literary Analysis: Quest Story What is a quest story? What is a quest story? Kind of story that is common to many cultures, where a hero goes on a journey and tries to achieve a goal.

What is a quest hero? Has special powers or special friends that help (or hinder) him or her on their journey Has special powers or special friends that help (or hinder) him or her on their journey Gilgamesh is a quest hero Gilgamesh is a quest hero

Characters/Places to know Gilgamesh The king of Uruk and the hero of this epic.

Enkidu Gilgamesh’s friend; molded by Aruru, goddess of creation, out of clay, he is wild or natural man. Gilgamesh’s friend; molded by Aruru, goddess of creation, out of clay, he is wild or natural man.

Utnapishtim Friend of the god Ea, with whose help he survives the flood, together with his family and with “the seed of all living creatures.” He and his wife are the only mortals to be granted the gift of eternal life. Friend of the god Ea, with whose help he survives the flood, together with his family and with “the seed of all living creatures.” He and his wife are the only mortals to be granted the gift of eternal life.

Anu Father of the gods, who had an important temple in Uruk. Father of the gods, who had an important temple in Uruk.

Anunnaki Gods who judge the dead and control destinies Gods who judge the dead and control destinies

Belit-Sheri Scribe and recorder of the underworld gods Scribe and recorder of the underworld gods

Dilmun A paradise in the world of the gods. A paradise in the world of the gods.

Ea God of waters and of wisdom, and one of the creators of mankind, toward whom he is usually well-disposed. God of waters and of wisdom, and one of the creators of mankind, toward whom he is usually well-disposed.

Enlil God of earth, wind and spirit; carries out tasks for Anu. God of earth, wind and spirit; carries out tasks for Anu.

Ereshkigal/Irkalla The queen of the underworld. The queen of the underworld.

Ishtar Goddess of love, fertility and war, called the Queen of Heaven. Goddess of love, fertility and war, called the Queen of Heaven.

Nergal Husband of Ereshkigal and co-ruler of the underworld. Husband of Ereshkigal and co-ruler of the underworld.

Ninurta A warrior and god of war, wells, and irrigation. A warrior and god of war, wells, and irrigation.

Shamash The sun god, judge and giver of laws. The sun god, judge and giver of laws.

Siduri The divine winemaker and brewer, who lives on the shore of the sea in the garden of the sun. The divine winemaker and brewer, who lives on the shore of the sea in the garden of the sun.

Urshanabi The boatman of Utnapishtim who ferries daily across the waters of death that divide the garden of the sun from the paradise Utnapishtim lives in. The boatman of Utnapishtim who ferries daily across the waters of death that divide the garden of the sun from the paradise Utnapishtim lives in.

Uruk Biblical Erech, modern Warka, in southern Babylonia between Fara and Ur. Shown by excavation to have been an important city from very early times, with great temples to the gods Anu and Ishtar. Biblical Erech, modern Warka, in southern Babylonia between Fara and Ur. Shown by excavation to have been an important city from very early times, with great temples to the gods Anu and Ishtar.