the epic of gilgamesh Flashcards
mesopotamia
the area between the tigris and euphrates river
historically referred to as the cradle of civilization
cuneiform
belived to be the oldest system of syllabic writing (ca 3500 BC)
Sumerians
The earliest civilization to settle/develop in Mesopotamia (ca 6500–ca 1940 BC)
Produced first Gilgamesh stories (CA 2100 BC); the stories were unrelated separate tales of Gilgamesh, a Sumerian king
Uruk
Capital city of Sumer, Gilgamesh was said to have been king of this city and built the surrounding walls
2900 BC, population of around 80,000
Akkadians
An empire that came out of Northern Mesopotamia; they conquered the Sumerians and united Mesopotamia under a bilingual rule of Sumerian and Akkadian. Sumerian was viewed as the elevated language and Akkadian as the common language
How long did the Akkadian empire last?
2300 BC to 2100 BC
Babylonians
CA 1900 BC to CA 500 BC
The name for the region of Southern Mesopotamia that was ruled by many different kings and regions after the fall of the Akkadian empire
Primary language is Akkadian
Although Sumerian is still utilized as the language of ceremonies, Akkadian emerges as the literary language and the first extended Gilgamesh epic is woven together in this language; the version is known by its opening lines, “Surpassing All Other Kings’
CA 1850 BC
Assyrians
Region of Mesopotamia North of Babylon, was part of the Akkadian Empire (but not Babylonian)
2400 BC–600 BC
4 copies of the Epic found in King’s library
Epic of Gilgamesh
Oldest major work of literature composed by human beings
An epic poem that combined many different stories about Gilgamesh, a Sumerian king, and Mesopotamian mythology
The earliest stories date to around 2100 BC (Sumerian)
First edited into a single coherent poem by the early Babylonians around 1850 BC, in the version known as “SAOK”
The most fully intact version was compiled, translated, and edited by Sin-leqi-unninni in Akkadian (ca 1300–1000 BC), known as the standard Akkadian version of Gilgamesh, also called “HWSTD”
Surpassing All Other Kings
First “epic” version of Gilgamesh edited by unknown Babylonian author, it is the first coherent version of the Epic of Gilgamesh ca 1850
Sin-leqi-unninni
1300–1250 BC?
Somewhere between CA 1300 BC and ca 1250 BC, he translated and modified SAOK version of the Gilgamesh epic into Akkadian, known as HWSTD. Also referred to as the standard version of the Epic of Gilgamesh
Name translates into “Oh Moon God, Accept My Prayer”
According to a translator, he was professionally trained in the art of expelling evil through prayer, incantation, and magic rituals
He Who Saw the Deep
Sin-Leqi-Unninni’s version of the Epic of Gilgamesh. Referred to because of the opening lines *ca 1300–1250)
Lacuna
A fancy term used for gaps or missing lines in the Story of Gilgamesh.
Lacuna literally means “an unfilled space or interval, a gap”
Temple Maiden/Temple Prostitute/Hierodule
A vaguely defined term, the source of historical debate. The only consistent idea is that the Temple Maiden serves as a surrogate for a god or goddess, possibly a way to sexually and spiritually commune with the goddess or god of the temple.
Shamhat is the name of this figure in the E of G
Polytheism
The worship of many gods. the gods often contend with each other and act selfishly. As far as we know, polytheism predates monotheism, and is generally based on Nature Spirits
