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This test consists of 5 multiple choice questions, 5 short answer questions, and 10 short essay questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. In the Armana version, why does Ereshkigal send Namtar to the gods after the banquet?
(a) Namtar is to bring Nergal to her.
(b) Namtar is to send a message to Ea about her weariness of being in the Underworld.
(c) Namtar is to kill Nergal.
(d) Namtar is to plead for Ereshkigal's release from her duties.

2. Who is Ereshkigal?
(a) Goddess of the earth.
(b) Queen of the Underworld.
(c) Queen of the mountains.
(d) Goddess of the sun.

3. What reason is given for the myths of this book being the basis of stories for other cultures?
(a) People of other countries frequently travelled through Mesopotamia.
(b) The people of Mesopotamia traveled the world.
(c) The people of Mesopotamia often sent scrolls to churches of other faiths.
(d) Mesopotamia created one of the first traveling libraries.

4. On what condition does Ereshkigal allow Ishtar entrance to Kurnugi?
(a) She must follow the ancient rites.
(b) She must apologize for her transgressions against Ereshkigal.
(c) She must be polite.
(d) She must marry the first man she sees after exiting the Underworld.

5. Fill in the blank: The ancient civilization of these myths can be found between the Tigris and the _______.
(a) Indus.
(b) Amu Darya.
(c) Nile.
(d) Euphrates.

Short Answer Questions

1. Who is the king of the old gods?

2. In the story of Ereshkigal, why does Kakka tell the queen of the Underworld to send a messenger up to the world?

3. On what medium where these myths originally found?

4. How does Shamash help Gilgamesh in his battle against Humbaba?

5. What unique feature does this book use to help the reader understand these stories?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does Shamhat force Enkidu to meet Gilgamesh?

2. Describe Ishtar's journey to see her sister, Ereshkigal, in the Underworld.

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

4. What function does the man, Good-Looks, serve in this story?

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

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

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

8. How does Atrahasis initially save the world from ruin before the flood?

9. According to the author, why is it important that people understand the origins of several well-known stories as well as knowing more about the time period from which these stories were born?

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

(see the answer keys)

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