Vocabulary

• Bellowed – to emit a loud animal-like cry; to roar

• Abyss – a deep, immeasurable space; a gulf or cavity

• Batten – to secure or tie down• Livid – enraged; furiously angry• Stupor – a suspension of one’s sensibility;

apathy• Firmament – the vault of heaven; the skies• Consigned – to hand over or deliver

formally; to set apart (in one’s mind)

Essential Question:

What understanding about Mesopotamian

religion is gained from Utnapishtim’s story of the

flood?

At Your Desks…

• Skim over the reading from Skim over the reading from last nightlast night

• Fill out the “Talking Points” Fill out the “Talking Points” sheetsheet

Reading Reading Strategies…Strategies…

•Use background information…

•Don’t read too fast…•Asking questions…•Writing about it…•Talk about it…

The Flood Story

Was there a world-wide flood?

Comparing Arks

What makes it incredible?What makes it incredible?

What makes it believable?What makes it believable?

Story of the FloodStory of the Flood• Utnapishtim tells of a time when the

earth “teemed” with people• Enlil’s complaint• Ea’s offering of help to Utnapishtim • Utnapishtim’s actions• The Gods bring the Flood waters• Enlil’s anger continues and Ea’s

rebuke• Enlil’s reconciliation with Utnapishtim

The GodsThe Gods• Enlil – his anger decides man’s

fate• Ea – helps Utnapishtim to survive• Nergal, Ninurta – bring the rains• The Annanuki – cause fires on the

earth• Shamash – hides the sun• Ishtar – sorrows over the death of

her creatures

Mesopotamian Mesopotamian BeliefsBeliefs

•The view of the gods presented–Possess human characteristics

•Pettiness•Easily irritated•Vindictive•Remorseful•Deceitful

Mesopotamian Mesopotamian BeliefsBeliefs

•The view of the gods presented– Interaction with humans

•Power to destroy/power to preserve•Intercede on behalf of humanity

•So, what did Mesopotamians believe?– God’s are to be feared– Man is at the mercy of the gods’ whims

Purpose of the Flood Purpose of the Flood StoryStory

• History the Mesopotamians• Explain certain natural phenomena

– Geography– Extinction of certain species– Violent weather

• Provide spiritual “food for thought”– Human mortality– Divine intervention in human affairs– Provides a basis for morality

HomeworkHomework•Read “The Return” pp. 32-33

• In your view, what does Gilgamesh realize about the desire for everlasting life and humankind’s mortality? Explain how key events in this section support your ideas.