From BSED 2D - Mesopotamian Mythology Flashcards
Gilgamesh’s best friend and companion.
Enkidu
The goddess of love and fertility.
Ishtar
The city ruled by Gilgamesh.
Uruk
The guardian of the Cedar Forest.
Humbaba
The goddess who sends the Bull of Heaven to punish Gilgamesh.
Shamhat
The boatman who helps Gilgamesh cross the Waters of Death.
Urshanabi
The god who grants eternal life to Utnapishtim.
Utnapishtim
The goddess who advises Gilgamesh on his journey to seek immortality.
Siduri
The god who warns Utnapishtim about the flood.
Ea
The god who creates Enkidu.
Anu
The god who protects Gilgamesh throughout is journey.
Shamash
The mother of Gilgamesh
Ninsun
The temple prostitute who tames Enkidu.
Enlil
The god of the sun and justice.
Aruru
The god of the sky and ruler of the gods.
Ishtar’s Bull
Note:
It’s actually Anu. Ishtar’s bull was sent to punish Gilgamesh for rejecting her advances.
The Epic of Gilgamesh is one of the oldest surviving works of literature, dating back to ancient ___.
Mesopotamia
It tells the story of Gilgamesh, the legendary king of ___, and his adventures. Initially portrayed as a ___, Gilgamesh undergoes transformation through his friendship with ___, a wild man created by the gods.
Uruk; tyrant; Enkidu
Together, they embark on heroic quests, including defeating ___, the guardian of the Cedar Forest, and the Bull of Heaven sent by the goddess ___.
Humbaba; Ishtar
However, tragedy strikes when Enkidu dies, leaving Gilgamesh devastated and on a quest for ___.
immortality
He seeks out ___, the only mortal granted ___ by the gods, hoping to learn the secret to living forever.
Utnapishtim; eternal life
Utnapishtim recounts the story of the ___, similar to the Biblical tale of ___, and reveals that true immortality is unattainable.
Great Flood; Noah
Gilgamesh returns to Uruk, realizing the value of his ___ and the importance of living a meaningful life. The epic explores themes of friendship, mortality, the ___, and the quest for immortality, offering insights into ancient Mesopotamian culture and beliefs.
legacy; fear
Ultimately, Gilgamesh learns that immortality lies not in physical longevity but in the ___ impact one leaves on the ___.
lasting; world
