1. The Epic of Gilgamesh

2. What is The Hero's Journey?
A narrative where a hero and his or her journey is central to the plot
The Hero usually goes out and achieves great deeds on behalf of a group, tribe, or civilization.
This type of narrative appears in drama, storytelling, myth, religious ritual, and psychological development.

3. The Steps of the Hero's Journey
I: Departure
The call to adventure
Refusal of the call
Supernatural aid
Crossing the first threshold
The belly of the whale
II: Initiation
The road of trials
Meeting with the Goddess
Temptation away from the true path
Atonement with the father
Apotheosis
The ultimate boon
III: Return
Refusal of the return
The magic flight
Rescue from without
Crossing the return threshold
Master of two worlds
Freedom to live

4. Mesopotamia's Fertile Crescent

5. Ancient Mesopotamia
Literally means “land between rivers”, is know as “The Cradle of Civilization”
Located between the Tigress and Euphrates rivers in what is now modern-day Iraq
Developed one of the first written languages
Local religions had over twenty gods
invented many technologies including metal and copper-working, irrigation and much more

6. Gilgamesh 1/3 human, 2/3 god Was created in the image of the gods
Full of hubris and very charismatic
King of the city state Uruk, is arrogant towards his people
Thinks he is invincible, despite not being so

7. Enkidu Created by Aruru (goddess of creation)
Supposed to beat Gilgamesh in a wrestling match, but he lost
Is the voice of reason and logic
Has a healthy fear of death, unlike Gilgamesh

8. Epic of Gilgamesh: Background
Life in ancient Mesopotamia was difficult:
Invaders
Frequent floods
Superstition and harsh gods
Stories of god-like heros helped bolster the endurance of a harsh life
The great journey of Gilgamesh served as a lesson of bravery to ancient people
Gilgamesh was a wise and courageous king
He build great temples and a wall around his city of a quality unmatched by any in the world
His story was engraved in stone

9. Humbaba Guardian of the forest Created by Enlil Strong and
fearsome giant
Appears as mean, but
is just misunderstood

10. The Battle with Humbaba
Upon seeing Humbaba, Gilgamesh is terrified and calls for Shamash to aid him
Shamash paralyzes Humababa with great winds causing him to surrender
Humbaba tells Gilgamesh a story of woe to convince Gilgamesh to let him go.
Gilgamesh is convinced, but Enkidu dismisses this as trickery and tells Gilgamesh to slay Humbaba like they came to do.
Gilgamesh agrees, strikes Humbaba and
Enkidu finishes him off.

11. The Death of Enkidu
The gods, especially Enlil, are enraged at the death of Humbaba and decide to punish Enkidu, and as a result, Gilgamesh also.
Enkidu develops a fever and begins to have prophetic dreams of his death.
Enkidu tells Gilgamesh of the underworld and his destination in the house of dust, where there are kings of old.
Within several days, Enkidu passes in his sleep.