Gilgamesh, the Hero

25 Nov
Photo Credit: SCTroyenne via Compfight cc

Photo Credit: SCTroyenne via Compfight cc

In class this week, we are learning about the Epic of Gilgamesh, the great surviving work of Mesopotamian literature. Gilgamesh is a demigod of superhuman strength who built the city walls of Uruk to defend his people from external threats. He is usually described as two-thirds god and one-third man.  The animated video below is a nice introduction and overview to Gilgamesh. Enjoy!
Epic (noun) – a long poem, typically one derived from ancient oral tradition, narrating the deeds and adventures of heroic or legendary figures or the history of a nation. Synonyms: story, saga, legend, romance, chronicle, myth, fable, tale, heroic poem.

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