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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. What is the true reason for the Sebitti wanting to go to battle with Erra?

2. What does Anzu look like?

3. Who is both wife and sister to Haharnum?

4. Which one of the following is an offspring of the Earth and her partner?

5. What holiday is the culmination of the cycle represented by the Theology of Dunnu?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does Marduk defeat Tiamat?

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

3. What is the given reason and the true reason for the Sebitti's desire to go to war?

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

5. Why does Erra wage a battle against the world?

6. What leads to Ea slaying both Apsu and Mummu?

7. How does Ishum end Erra's devastation of the world?

8. Why does Adapa curse the South Wind and what are the consequences?

9. Who does Anu initially choose to battle Anzu and why do the warriors refuse?

10. Of what is the Theology of Dunnu symbolic?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

In the story of Etana, the eagle betrays the snake by eating its young, leading to the eagle's violent punishment. Discuss the roles of the eagle and the snake. What are some of the natural connotations, literary and otherwise, dredged up when thinking of snakes? What about eagles? How does this role reversal shift the reader's preconceptions of these animals? How does this speak to the diversity of Mesopotamia? What are the underlying themes of the eagle and the snake's story?

Essay Topic 2

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 3

Discuss the role of women within Mesopotamian culture as depicted within these myths in the following format:

Part 1) Shamhat.

Part 2) The story of Atrahasis to explain childbearing.

Part 3) Ishtar's relationships to men.

Part 4) Ereshkigal as both queen and loner.

Part 5) Belet-ili and her contributions to both deities and mankind.

Cite specific examples from the text to support your answers.

(see the answer keys)

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