1. Presentation by Rebecca Edwards
The Epic of Gilgamesh
Presentation by Rebecca Edwards

2. The Hero’s Journey
The Hero’s Journey is a perilous adventure a hero takes.
In the Epic of Gilgamesh, king Gilgamesh goes on an adventure seeking immortality.

3. Steps of the Hero’s Journey
Call to adventure
Refusal of the call
Supernatural aid
Crossing the first threshold
The belly of the whale
Road of trials
The meeting with the goddess
Temptation away from the true path

4. Steps of the Hero’s Journey
Atonement with the father
Apotheosis (becoming god-like)
The ultimate boon
Refusal of the return
The magic flight
Rescue from without
Crossing the return threshold
Master of two worlds
Freedom to live

5. Map of Ancient Mesopotamia

6. Facts About Ancient Mesopotamia
Mesopotamia means “land between the rivers”.
Mesopotamians wrote on clay.
The first system of writing was called cuneiform.
A ziggurat was a holy temple that only priests were allowed into.
The earliest settlers of ancient Mesopotamia were called Sumerians.

7. Gilgamesh’s Character
Overconfident
Rash
Charismatic
Demi-god
Mortal

8. Enkidu
Enkidu was created by the goddess Aruru to battle Gilgamesh and to occupy him.
He is the voice of reason and logic.

9. Background of the Epic of Gilgamesh
The Epic of Gilgamesh takes place between the Tigris and Euphrates rivers
The Mesopotamians had to defend themselves from invaders
The hero goes on a heroic quest to change things for his people
Gilgamesh is searching for immortality

10. Humbaba’s Character Humbaba is the guardian of the cedar forest
He is compared to a lion
Humbaba pleads to Gilgamesh that he has no mother or father
His teeth are like dragon’s fangs
His house is made of cedar trees

11. The Battle with Humbaba
Gilgamesh sees Humbaba; he calls Shamash for aid
Shamash sends winds to paralyze Humbaba
Gilgamesh and Enkidu continue putting out the seven splendors
Humbaba pleads for freedom and offers his service
Gilgamesh strikes the first blow, Enkidu strikes the second and final blow
They bring Humbaba’s head to Enlil

12. The Death of Enkidu
The gods send The great bull of heaven to cause chaos in Uruk
Gilgamesh and Enkidu are cursed after killing the bull and Humbaba
Enkidu has recurring dreams where he is taken to the underworld
He tells Gilgamesh about his dreams
Enkidu dies of a fever