Epic of Gilgamesh

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Epic of Gilgamesh

• Building Vocabulary

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Epic of Gilgamesh

• 12 tablets
• Oldest written story
• Poem of the adventures of Gilgamesh

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Tablet 1
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Gilgamesh

• Lived 2,700 BC
• Priest-King of Sumeria
• Ruler of city-state Uruk
• Part man, part god
• Seeks eternal life

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City of Uruk

• Sumerian city-state of Mesopotamia
• Ruled by Gilgamesh

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Enkidu

• Mythical wild man
• Raised by animals
• Protector of animals
• Tamed
• Friend of Gilgamesh

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Enkidu

• "The whole of his body was hairy and his (uncut)
  locks were like a woman's or the hair of the
  goddess of grain. Moreover, he knew nothing of
  settled fields or human beings and was clothed
  (in skins) like a deity of flocks."

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Humbaba

• Mythical giant
• Guardian of the Cedar Forest
• Enemy of Gilgamesh
• Killed by Gilgamesh and Enkidu

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Ishtar

• Mother goddess
• Goddess of compassion and love
• Seeks revenge against Gilgamesh and Enkidu

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Utnapishtim

• Know as Wise-one and Far-Away
• Survives great flood
• Rewarded with immortality