1. ESSENTIAL QUESTIONS What do the world’s major religions have in common; how are they different? How can we learn about other cultures by studying their religions? Why study religious literature?

2. Most of the people on Earth live with other people in some sort of organized or implied culture. There are a number of traits prevalent in those cultures that meet the basic needs of the people. Among the traits we might identify are food, shelter, clothing, education, traditions, government, economics, family life, and, of course, religion. Religion has always been a very major part of culture, influencing governments, families, daily habits, and more. Examples include Jews and Muslims are forbidden to eat pork; The Holy Koran has become the foundation of civil law in Saudi Arabia; conflict can erupt when people feel their religion is threatened as seen in the ongoing upheaval in Sri Lanka between the Buddhist Sinhalese and the Hindu Tamils. Why study religious literature?

3. Definitions To Know Myths – Traditional stories about (about gods and goddesses) that serve to explain natural phenomena, the human situation, or the origin of belief or ritual. Example: Arachne Myths – Traditional stories about (about gods and goddesses) that serve to explain natural phenomena, the human situation, or the origin of belief or ritual. Example: ArachneArachne Legends – Records and celebrates the deeds of great heroes and heroines Example: Korra and Ang or Zelda Legends – Records and celebrates the deeds of great heroes and heroines Example: Korra and Ang or Zelda Epics – long poem celebrating the travels of an important hero. Example: Odysseus. Epics – long poem celebrating the travels of an important hero. Example: Odysseus.

4. Definitions To Know Hymns, prayers, and psalms – express religious faith and are usually written to be chanted or sung. Example: Egyptian Hymns, prayers, and psalms – express religious faith and are usually written to be chanted or sung. Example: EgyptianEgyptian Wisdom literature – instructs human beings on wise and moral behavior Wisdom literature – instructs human beings on wise and moral behavior – Proverbs – memorable sayings – Parables – stories used to illustrate a moral.

5. Definitions To Know Folk Tales – Story of ordinary person have extraordinary experiences. Usually involve magic, exaggeration, or humor. Folk Tales – Story of ordinary person have extraordinary experiences. Usually involve magic, exaggeration, or humor. IndiaIndia Vietnam Japan VietnamJapan IndiaVietnamJapan

6. Early Facts about Literature Early tokens used for writing as early as 8000 BC Sumerians written language – cuneiform Mesopotamian literature Gilgamesh epic Egyptians – hieroglyphics Rosetta Stone broke the code Dead Sea Scrolls – oldest surviving sections of the Bible.

7. Use this story to fill out your graphic organizer: Gilgamesh – pgs. 41-43 Flood Stories