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The Crusades and the Legacy of Gilgamesh

All human civilizations leave behind an account of their culture, whether it is through pre-historic cave paintings or contemporary Hollywood cinema. In Mesopotamian culture the same is true. In the anonymously penned The Epic of Gilgamesh, written in approximately 2750 BCE, the author provides an account of the heroic, if recognizably human, Gilgamesh. Gilgamesh achieves great deeds, is of superior wit and intelligence, and he survives an arduous journey that shows his superior courage and strength. Nevertheless, Gilgamesh is also portrayed as having human flaws, particularly his need of moderation. In this heroic but human portrayal of Gilgamesh we are offered an optimistic viewpoint of human existence by the Mesopotamian author, one that shows the need for specific values and qualities deemed worthy by Mesopotamian culture. In this manner, The Epic of Gilgamesh offers an optimistic outlook on life in its mirroring of the qualities and values Mesopotamians deem heroic and essential to a worthwhile existence.

From the outset of The Epic of Gilgamesh, we are left little doubt that the titular character is a hero in the eyes of Mesopotamians, endowed with various qualities and characteristics that make him stand apart yet also welcome him as one of his culture. As we are told of Gilgamesh at the beginning of the epic: "Supreme over other kings, lordly in appearance, / he is the hero, born of Uruk, the goring wild bull. / He walks out in front, the leader, / and walks at the rear, trusted by his companions. / Mighty net, protector of his people" (Kovacs I:28-32). This is an optimistic view of the Mesopotamian leader, for he not only rises above his people in his heroic ability to serve as their protector, but his character is such he also readily walks among them and is trusted by them as a friend.

Another optimistic feature of the portrayal of Gilgamesh is his considerable ability to be able to ac...

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The Crusades and the Legacy of Gilgamesh. (1969, December 31). In LotsofEssays.com. Retrieved 18:07, March 28, 2024, from https://www.lotsofessays.com/viewpaper/2001193.html