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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 must Nergal atone for his offense towards Namtar?

2. Who is Ereshkigal?

3. Which goddess creates Enkidu in order to bring down Gilgamesh's arrogance?

4. How many gates must one pass through to reach Kurnugi?

5. What tool is used within the introductions to help the reader understand the time line of these stories?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why is Namtar sent above ground to the feast in the story of Nergal and Ereshkigal?

2. How does Enkidu escape from the Underworld on an alternate tablet?

3. What is Nergal's offense against Namtar and his penance?

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

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

6. For what reasons does Enkidu die?

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

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

9. In the Mesopotamian myths discussed in this book, what early beliefs are depicted?

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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 2

What is the significance of the Tablet of Destinies? What powers does it hold? Why do the gods hold it in such esteem? How did it come to be and how does that relate to Ninurta's recovery of the Tablet? How does Anzu having possession of the Tablet reveal the heroism of some of the gods? How does the Tablet of Destinies relate to Mesopotamian religious beliefs?

Essay Topic 3

How are life and death intertwined in Mesopotamian culture? For what reasons, as depicted within the myths themselves, is there a fluidity between life and death? How does this reflect upon the beliefs of this culture? Using only the text, compose a strong thesis based on this idea. Cite examples from not only the myths but also the introductions and notes provided by the author.

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