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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. How does Ishtar being trapped in Kuranugi affect earth?

2. Why does the author of this book believe it is necessary to understand where the stories of several different cultures originated?

3. Why is Nergal sent to the Underworld?

4. In the story of Ishtar, what version does the author use?

5. After seven years of famine, to what does mankind resort?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. What arrangement is made for Ishtar's release from the Underworld?

3. How does Shamhat force Enkidu to meet Gilgamesh?

4. For what reasons does Enkidu die?

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

6. What remedies are offered after the flood to help control the population of the world?

7. Why does all sexual activity on Earth stop while Ishtar is in Kurnugi?

8. What reasons does Ereshkigal give for her anguish over losing Nergal?

9. After giving up on disease, how does Ellil try to keep the world from becoming overpopulated?

10. What reasons are given for the Mesopotamian myths becoming the basis of stories for several other cultures?

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

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?

Essay Topic 3

How and why is flying a predominant theme in Mesopotamian myths? Develop a clear thesis statement and write an essay, including (but not exclusively) the following topics:

1) Etana and the eagle.

2) Anzu.

3) Marduk's use of the winds.

4) Tiamat's army.

Cite specific examples from the text to support your answers.

(see the answer keys)

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