The Epic of Gilgamesh Case

Caitlin McCarthy

Professor Chakravartty

HIST 322.001

12 September 2013

Book Question: The Epic of Gilgamesh

        Being the first epic available in history, The Epic of Gilgamesh is a primary example of what Mesopotamian society would have been like. Throughout the epic, it is demonstrated that women were considered equal with men, although they were illustrated as both frivolous and untrustworthy. Not only did Gilgamesh demonstrate a woman’s role in society, it also exhibited the role of gods in Mesopotamian society and the relationship that the people had with them. The role that the gods play in the citizens lives is apparent due to their relying on the gods in order to aid them through hardships in addition to the offerings that they give up in praise. Another important aspect of Mesopotamian civilization is the importance of the ruler. The ruler of any given city is bound to be, in most cases, in complete control. As demonstrated in Gilgamesh, Gilgamesh, The King of Uruk, commands the citizens of his city and is looked upon as if he himself was a god. All three of these examples come together to give a glimpse into what life might have been like in ancient Mesopotamian civilization and demonstrate some of the similarities that there are between civilization then and civilization today.

        A woman’s role in society, as depicted in The Epic of Gilgamesh, is not much different from modern times. Throughout the epic, multiple females constitute as major characters and affect the story in numerous ways. While their status in society was similar to that of a man’s, women are portrayed throughout the novel as being untrustworthy, frivolous, and sexually promiscuous. As demonstrated in the conversation between Gilgamesh and Ishtar, women were seen as sexual beings and that alone and, in order to appease their sexual desires, would use men for their own pleasure before tossing them aside and moving onto a new and better man. “If I too became your lover, you would treat me as cruelly as you treated them.” (135) This implication by Gilgamesh in regards to Ishtar demonstrates the idea that women could move from man to man continuously with little regard for emotion. While this idea has not progressed into modern times, women in Mesopotamian society were still held to nearly the same rank as men and were not considered to be below men, nor were they considered to be property. This idea that women and men are equal is prevalent in modern day society and demonstrates a similarity between the two times.

        Throughout The Epic of Gilgamesh, the many gods that are prevalent in Mesopotamian society show up numerous times. The two main characters, Gilgamesh and Enkidu, pray to the gods through the whole of the epic no matter the situation. As the two friends travel towards the Cedar Forest in order to murder Humbaba, they pray to the gods that they will safely return home to Uruk. While Enkidu was created by the gods in order to match Gilgamesh in strength and power, Gilgamesh himself is two parts god and one part man, blessed by the gods in regards to his strength and his size. The appearance of gods throughout the epic is similar to modern society in that there are many gods that are worshipped all over the word. Some religions believe in multiple gods, as is demonstrated in The Epic of Gilgamesh, while some religions believe in one god. The gods are one of the most prevalent themes in this epic and demonstrate the amount of faith that the people of ancient Mesopotamia had in their beliefs.