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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. In the Armana version, why does Ereshkigal send Namtar to the gods after the banquet?

2. What ritual takes place during Dumuzi's time in Kurnugi?

3. How does Ellil first punish mankind in the story of Atrahasis?

4. When Namtar is sent from the Underworld to argue with the gods for Nergal's return, what does Ereshkigal reveal?

5. How many figures are contained within this book?

Short Essay Questions

1. For what reasons does Enkidu die?

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

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

4. Why does Belet-ili bring Enkidu to life?

5. What must Namtar avoid doing while in the Underworld serving out his punishment?

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

7. According to the story of Atrahasis, how and why was man created?

8. What are some ways that Ellil punished mankind before the flood?

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

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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 2

Write an essay about the Bible's connections to Enkidu from The Epic of Gilgamesh in the following format:

Part 1) Enkidu and Gilgamesh in comparison to Adam and Eve.

Part 2) Enkidu and Shamhat as Adam, Eve, and the Serpent.

Part 3) Enkidu as a martyr.

Part 4) Enkidu's resurrection.

Essay Topic 3

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.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 968 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample