1. Vocabulary Bellowed – to emit a loud animal-like cry; to roar
Abyss – a deep, immeasurable space; a gulf or cavity
Batten – to secure or tie down
Livid – enraged; furiously angry
Stupor – a suspension of one’s sensibility; apathy
Firmament – the vault of heaven; the skies
Consigned – to hand over or deliver formally; to set apart (in one’s mind)

2. Essential Question:
What understanding about Mesopotamian religion is gained from Utnapishtim’s story of the flood?

3. At Your Desks… Skim over the reading from last night
Fill out the “Talking Points” sheet

4. Reading Strategies… Use background information… Don’t read too fast…
Asking questions…
Writing about it…
Talk about it…

5. The Flood Story
Was there a world-wide flood? Comparing Arks What makes it incredible? What makes it believable?

6. Story of the Flood
Utnapishtim tells of a time when the earth “teemed” with people
Enlil’s complaint
Ea’s offering of help to Utnapishtim
Utnapishtim’s actions
The Gods bring the Flood waters
Enlil’s anger continues and Ea’s rebuke
Enlil’s reconciliation with Utnapishtim

7. The Gods Enlil – his anger decides man’s fate
Ea – helps Utnapishtim to survive
Nergal, Ninurta – bring the rains
The Annanuki – cause fires on the earth
Shamash – hides the sun
Ishtar – sorrows over the death of her creatures

8. Mesopotamian Beliefs The view of the gods presented
Possess human characteristics
Pettiness
Easily irritated
Vindictive
Remorseful
Deceitful

9. Mesopotamian Beliefs The view of the gods presented
Interaction with humans
Power to destroy/power to preserve
Intercede on behalf of humanity
So, what did Mesopotamians believe?
God’s are to be feared
Man is at the mercy of the gods’ whims

10. Purpose of the Flood Story
History the Mesopotamians
Explain certain natural phenomena
Geography
Extinction of certain species
Violent weather
Provide spiritual “food for thought”
Human mortality
Divine intervention in human affairs
Provides a basis for morality

11. Homework Read “The Return” pp. 32-33
In your view, what does Gilgamesh realize about the desire for everlasting life and humankind’s mortality? Explain how key events in this section support your ideas.