View a FREE sample

This test consists of 15 multiple choice questions and 5 short answer questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. When Nergal travels to the Underworld, to what story is the description of his descent similar?
(a) Atrahasis and the flood.
(b) Enkidu's escape from the Underworld.
(c) Gilgamesh's search for immortality.
(d) Ishtar's descent.

2. How does Ereshkigal avenge herself upon Ishtar?
(a) She traps Ishtar in an icy lake.
(b) Namtar tricks Ishtar into marrying a beast.
(c) Namtar removes Ishtar's divine rights.
(d) Namtar casts sixty diseases on Ishtar.

3. In the Babylonian version of Gilgamesh's story, what incites the battle between Gilgamesh and Enkidu?
(a) Gilgamesh tries to seduce Shamkat.
(b) Enkidu kills Gilgamesh's mistress.
(c) Enkidu did not bow to Gilgamesh.
(d) Gilgamesh attempts to kill Shamkat.

4. After the death of Enkidu, for what does a grieving Gilgamesh seek?
(a) Enkidu's family.
(b) A goddess's support.
(c) Immortality.
(d) Marriage to Ishtar.

5. What do Anu and Ellil agree to do for the other gods?
(a) Allow them to switch vocations.
(b) Allow them to marry.
(c) Share their power.
(d) Lighten their workload.

6. Who tells Atrahasis to build a boat in anticipation of Ellil flooding the world?
(a) Ea.
(b) Enki.
(c) Ellili.
(d) Tiamat.

7. How must Nergal atone for his offense towards Namtar?
(a) Walk to the underworld over gravel and allow his blood to cleanse his offense.
(b) Pray for forgiveness.
(c) Sacrifice several animals to Namtar.
(d) Chop down trees and make a chair.

8. What ritual takes place during Dumuzi's time in Kurnugi?
(a) Ritual cleansing.
(b) Weddings.
(c) Lying-in-state.
(d) Funerals.

9. Who is the king of the old gods?
(a) Anu.
(b) Ea.
(c) Marduk.
(d) Ellil.

10. In what color is Dumuzi clad when he descends to Kurnugi?
(a) Blue.
(b) Red.
(c) Black.
(d) White.

11. After seven years of famine, to what does mankind resort?
(a) Cannibalism.
(b) Prostitution.
(c) Eating dirt.
(d) Warring.

12. What is Kurnugi?
(a) The sea.
(b) The gods' home.
(c) The collective temples of the gods.
(d) The Underworld.

13. How does Ut-napishtium prove to Gilgamesh how many days the latter man slept?
(a) Ut-napishtium planted a tree for each day Gilgamesh slept.
(b) Ut-napishtium's wife baked a loaf of bread for each day Gilgamesh slept.
(c) Ut-napishtium put a cut on Gilgamesh's leg for each day.
(d) Ut-napishtium had Shamash stand as witness.

14. What Phoenician god might be based on the legend of Ereshkigal and Nergal?
(a) Melqart.
(b) Baal.
(c) Tanit.
(d) Adonis.

15. Who is Namtar?
(a) Ereshkigal's lover.
(b) Ereshkigal's judge.
(c) Ereshkigal's vizier.
(d) Ereshkigal's brother.

Short Answer Questions

1. When sent from the Underworld, why is Namtar unable to locate Nergal?

2. About what does Ea question Nergal upon the arrival of Namtar?

3. How many gates must one pass through to reach Kurnugi?

4. On their journey to the Pine Forest, what plagues Gilgamesh?

5. What reason does the author give for noting similarities between these myths and other, well-known stories?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 519 words (approx. 2 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample