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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 Erra starts to destroy the world, who attempts to become the voice of reason for him?

2. According to the story of Erra and Ishum, what will happen if Marduk leaves his palace?

3. From what does Marduk create the world?

4. How does the Epic of Creation in this book end?

5. Who is both wife and sister to Haharnum?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does Erra trick Marduk into leaving his palace?

2. Who is Haharnum?

3. What leads to Marduk accepting the challenge to face Tiamat?

4. What are the differences between the standard and Old Babylonian versions of the story of Anzu?

5. How does the eagle help Etana on his quest to help his wife conceive?

6. What role does The Flocks God play in the creation of the world in the Theology of Dunnu?

7. How is Marduk rewarded for his victory over Tiamat?

8. Describe the lineage of the gods as depicted in the Epic of Creation.

9. In the story of Etana, what is the arrangement made before Shamash between the eagle and the snake?

10. Before receiving instructions from Ea, how does the battle between Ninurta and Anzu initially go?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss the use of deception in the Mesopotamian myths, including (but not exclusively) the following topics:

1) Enki saving Atrahasis from the flood.

2) Nergal and Ereshkigal.

3) The deception of Adapa.

4) Erra tricking Marduk out of his palace.

Develop a clear thesis statement and apply it to the above topics.

Essay Topic 2

Discuss the role of respect in the stories of Mesopotamia in the following format:

Part 1) Nergal, Namtar, and Ereshkigal.

Part 2) Apsu and the younger gods.

Part 3) Marduk.

Part 4) Erra and Ishum.

Part 5) Adapa and the South Wind.

Using these stories, create a thesis to describe the importance of respect in Mesopotamian culture and why the stories make that clear.

Essay Topic 3

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.

(see the answer keys)

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