ROSS S MARSHALL HIST-111 WK-2 ESSAY Garfinkle

Mesopotamian flood myths such as Atrahasis and the Epic of Gilgamesh transmit

important concepts of religious, political, and cultural ideas (1), for increasing a sense

of community.

In Mesopotamian thought, narrative apocalyptic literature provides a reflective

picture or template for humanity in the euhemerization of the gods (I.e. viewing the

gods as a human), the humanizing of their social and psychological community

structure for understanding better social norms for the health, safety, and progress of

society. To the Mesopotamian, the “working out your salvation [survival] with fear”

(2) was never just a job, but was one’s fearful (I.e. respectful) “contribution to the

community and, by extension, to the gods’ efforts in keeping the world at peace and

in harmony.” (3) The post Flood positive relationships between the gods and

humankind depict valuable cooperative synergy “to live in concert with the gods… to

hold off the forces of chaos and to keep the community running smoothly.” (4) The

difference in flood psychology between the gods and mankind is in the attitude

change of both. Before the flood, the “clamor” [I.e. loud and confusing noise] of

humankind infuriates Enlil, and he sends destructive famines, rains, and winds to

destroy man, even contracting the Sea god Enki to bring a flood. (5) But the gods

were “frightened by the Flood,…[and] retreated!” (6). Then, after the flood, and after

much sacrifice and burning of incense (7), mankind pleases the gods. Utnapishtim

testifies to Gilgamesh of the appeasement of the gods by mankind when Enlil

“touched our forehead and, standing between us, he blessed us [Utnapishtim and his

wife].” (8)

Thus, Mesopotamian religion depicts divine and human fears of loss prompt a

higher and more advanced sense of cooperation of the community.

(1) Pryke, Louise. Oxford Research Encyclopedias. Religion and Humanity in
Mesopotamian Myth and Epic: Summary and Keywords. Online Publishing Date,
Aug 2016. Sponsoring source.
https://oxfordre.com/religion/view/10.1093/acrefore/9780199340378.001.0001/acrefo
re-9780199340378-e-247
(2) Bible. The Letter to the Philippians. (Any translation). Chapter 2, Verse 12.
(3) Mark, Joshua J. Ancient History Encyclopedia. Mesopotamia: Jobs. Online
Publishing Date, 14 March 2018. Sponsoring source.
https://www.ancient.eu/Mesopotamia/
(4) Ibid. Mesopotamian Religion. Online Publishing Date, 22 February 2011.
Sponsoring source. https://www.ancient.eu/Mesopotamian_Religion/
(5) Brophy, James M. Perspectives from the Past. Primary Sources in Western
Civilizations. (Fourth Edition) (Vol. 1). Jan 23, 2009. Pg. 10.
(6) HistoryWiz 2005-2008. The Sumerians: a HistoryWiz Exhibit. Epic of Gilgamesh
- Sumerian Flood Story 2750 - 2500 BCE. Online Publishing Date, 2008. Tablet 11,
Line 113. Sponsoring source.
https://www.historywiz.com/primarysources/sumerianflood.html
(7) Ibid. Tablet 11, Lines 156-162.
(8) Ibid. Tablet 11, Line 201.