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. What is the true reason for the Sebitti wanting to go to battle with Erra?

2. During the Festival of the New Year, why was the Epic of Creation performed or recited?

3. What is Sharur?

4. Why does the snake attack the eagle and leave it for dead in a pit?

5. When Nirgirsu is depicted battling the man who stole the Tablet in the Old Babylonian version of this story, how many lines are missing between this section and the part where Ea intervenes with instructions?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why does Erra wage a battle against the world?

2. What happens when Erra takes over Marduk's palace?

3. What is the fate of the Sea and the Cattle God?

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

5. Who is Haharnum?

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

7. How is Marduk rewarded for his victory over Tiamat?

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

9. How does Mami (or Belet-ili) explain to her son why he should go to battle against Anzu?

10. What leads to Marduk accepting the challenge to face Tiamat?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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 2

Write an essay about the similarities between the Mesopotamian and Biblical flood myths in the following format:

Part 1) The over-indulgence and destruction of mankind.

Part 2) The similarities and differences of Noah and Atrahasis.

Part 3) The relationship between mankind and their god or gods.

Part 4) The final flood.

Part 5) The reconstruction of Earth and mankind.

Essay Topic 3

It is common throughout Mesopotamian myths that several of deities are given what could be considered monstrous appearances. What is the purpose of this? How does Marduk, given his description of being "perfect" fit into this theme? How are the Sebitti depicted? In what ways is Tiamat a culmination of the monstrous characteristics of the gods? How does this reflect upon Mesopotamian culture and their relationship to their religion? Cite specific examples from the text to support your answers.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 1,104 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample