View a FREE sample

This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. Who built Kish?

2. What gift to Ea bestow upon Adapa?

3. What function does the Tablet of Destinies serve?

4. Who is the offspring of the Cattle God and the Sea?

5. After marrying her son, Plough, who does the Sea kill?

Short Essay Questions

1. What leads to Anzu stealing the Tablet of Destinies?

2. What does Mother Hubur create for Tiamat and why?

3. Of what is the Theology of Dunnu symbolic?

4. How does the eagle help Etana on his quest to help his wife conceive?

5. What leads to Ea slaying both Apsu and Mummu?

6. How does Marduk defeat Tiamat?

7. Who is Haharnum?

8. Why is the eagle left to die in the pit in Etana's story?

9. After Erra ceases his destruction against mankind and the gods, how does Ishum help repair the damage?

10. Who does Anu initially choose to battle Anzu and why do the warriors refuse?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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.

Essay Topic 2

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.

Essay Topic 3

Compare and contrast the characters of Ishtar and Ereshkigal. How are they different? How are they the same? What constitutes their relationship? What is significant about their respective roles in life and how they are treated throughout the myths presented in this novel? In particular, be sure to focus on Ishtar's behavior around other gods and humans and Ereshkigal's isolation in the Underworld. Cite specific examples from the text to support your answers.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 976 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample