1. Middle Eastern Mythology
Babylonian
Sumerian
Egyptian
Hittite

2. Readings The Enuma Elish The Descent of Ishtar/ Inanna
Babylonian Creation Myth
The Descent of Ishtar/ Inanna
The Epic of Gilgamesh
Babylonian/ Sumerian Epic
The first novel and the earliest hero
Osiris, Isis, and Horus
Egyptian Myth

3. Mesopotamia The first civilizations grew in Mesopotamia
Between the Tigris and Euphrates Rivers (c BC)
Sumerians
Babylonians
Assyrians
First myths date from 2500 BC
Oldest recorded literature in the world
Built cities, establish religions, created first system of writing, wrote down myths

4. Maps
Ancient Mesopotamia
Mesopotamia Today

5. People of Mesopotamia
Babylonian myths show a turbulent world and raise questions about life, immortality, and why natural disasters occur.
Involve the same gods with (some) different names
(Think Greek and Roman!)
Mesopotamian gods have human personalities and human needs
They enjoy helping a favorite mortal

6. Mesopotamian influence on Greek myth
In both myth systems:
the gods belong to generations that often quarrel among themselves
gods are not eternal and are always liable to be driven out by other powerful gods
the hero is strong and ambitious and experiences a tension between his own limitations and the power of the gods.

7. Middle Eastern Beliefs
Universe and gods were not predictable/ reliable
Even powerful kings were dependent on the goodwill or help of the gods
Life after death promised no rewards for earthy achievement, only darkness, dust, and boredom
Therefore, human beings had to make the most of their lives

8. Mesopotamian Underworld
Guarded by seven gates
The deceased removed an article of clothing at each gate
Souls lived in uncomfortable confusion
Few had a bed or fresh water

9. Babylonian Creation Myth
The Enuma Elish (When on high…)
Recorded on seven clay tablets that were found in 1840s
Content reveals that the story dates back to 1900 BCE.
Tells of the creation of Babylon