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This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. When Namtar is sent from the Underworld to argue with the gods for Nergal's return, what does Ereshkigal reveal?

2. What is Kurnugi?

3. What does Belili offer in order to help her brother, Dumuzi?

4. Which goddess creates Enkidu in order to bring down Gilgamesh's arrogance?

5. How long does Enki believe the flood will last?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why are several of the myths in this book fragmented or missing whole sections?

2. How does Shamhat force Enkidu to meet Gilgamesh?

3. Why is Namtar sent above ground to the feast in the story of Nergal and Ereshkigal?

4. What is significant about Ninsun adopting Enkidu as her own son?

5. Where is the approximate location of Mesopotamia in the modern world?

6. How does mankind react to the drought and famine before the ultimate appearance of the flood?

7. What are some ways that Ellil punished mankind before the flood?

8. Describe the purpose and function of some of the many different features of this book.

9. In the longer version of this story, what happens after Namtar fails to find Nergal outside of the Underworld?

10. How do the fates of Dumuzi and Belili explain the seasons and rituals of Mesopotamia?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

What role does sex play in both Mesopotamian myths and culture? How do the gods react towards sex? How does mankind? In what stories is sex an important topic? How is the deity in charge of sexuality portrayed? Cite specific examples from the text to support your answers.

Essay Topic 2

Throughout the stories from Mesopotamia, there are several myths regarding the rise of a hero. Discuss the "hero-myth" in the following format:

Part 1) Defining a hero by Mesopotamian standards.

Part 2) Atrahasis.

Part 3) Marduk.

Part 4) Ninurta.

Essay Topic 3

Why are some of these stories incomplete? What happened to the tablets over the centuries? What is the significance of the tablets being partially destroyed? How does that alter some of the stories? What is still unknown about some of the stories? What other important information is lost with the destruction of some of the tablets? How can the gaps in narration be filled in by studying the myths of other cultures?

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