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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. About what does Ea question Nergal upon the arrival of Namtar?

2. What does Atrahasis bring onto his boat besides people?

3. What section of the book is the table of contents for the book's figures?

4. What is unique about the plant Gilgamesh retrieves from the Apsu?

5. What happens to the plant Gilgamesh took from the Apsu?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. How does Shamhat force Enkidu to meet Gilgamesh?

3. What is significant about Ninsun adopting Enkidu as her own son?

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

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

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

7. 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?

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

9. In the longer version of this story, what happens after Namtar fails to find Nergal outside of the Underworld?

10. Describe Gilgamesh's journey to see Ut-napishtim (or Atrahasis)?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

What role does love play in The Epic of Gilgamesh? Create a thesis based around the idea that love is the driving force in this particular myth. Points to consider, but not exclusively, include Enkidu and Gilgamesh's relationship, as well as Enkidu's adoption by Gilgamesh's mother.

Essay Topic 2

Why is the Theology of Dunnu important? How does it reflect upon the diversity of Mesopotamia? Why is this important to know about today? In what ways does the Theology of Dunnu explain the world? How does it differ from the Epic of Creation? Cite specific examples from the text to support your answers.

Essay Topic 3

What role does Tiamat play as a primeval goddess? What is significant about her status as a being of chaos? What theological implications can be found when considering that Marduk used Tiamat's remains to create the world? How does her monstrous army encourage her chaotic reign? Cite specific examples from the text to support your answers.

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