Friday, November 30th

We have been using the large definition of CULTURE to provide us direction in our start of examining HISTORICAL CONTEXT.  We will first review the definition of culture and the expansion on the definition.

Now that you have read the selection from the ancient Mesopotamian text, The Epic of Gilgamesh, you need to think to the large aspects of culture that you feel can be explored further to start our analysis of Gilgamesh. 

The following will go in your notes. 

1. Select 4 large aspects of culture. You select which aspects you want to examine further, and that you feel is relevant.

2. With each of these aspects of culture, you will turn to our literary device, HISTORICAL CONTEXT. What events during the time of Gilgamesh's creation and transmission, do you think are relevant as a reflection of the culture that created the text? You can use your text book, but also look online. Please keep in mind the time period of the text... oral transmission and written text....  when you are looking for influence.

3. For each of the aspects of culture, you will then need to gather evidence from Gilgamesh that you feel is a reflection of the cultural/historical context.

Timeline to consider for The Epic of Gilgamesh:
2500 BCE- Earliest legend of Gilgamesh orally composed
1700 BCE- Old Babylonian version of Gilgamesh
1300 BCE- Standard version of Gilgamesh written down
650 BCE- Gilgamesh epic collected and copied for Ashurbanipal's library
612 BCE- Gilgamesh epic buried when Ashurbanipal's library destroyed. Lost for 24 centuries.
1849 CE- Austen Henry Layard unearthed remains of buried library.

 Tablet V- Epic of Gilgamesh 

Relevant Historical Connection to Current Day: 

Assyrian Guardian Figure- British Museum, London (Photo by Lara Cole)

Story on destruction of Nimrud by Isis: Isis Destruction of Ancient Assyrian Site