Definition: An epic is a long narrative poem presenting characters of high position in a series of adventures which form an organic whole through their relation to a central figure of heroic proportions and through their development of episodes important to the history of a nation or a race. Classifications of epic poetry: There are a number of ways in which literary scholars have attempted to classify the various types of poems that claim to be "epics". The following two systems are offered
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beliefs‚ and to teach their children life lessons. People of ancient Mesopotamia were one of the many civilizations that used stories to explain their way of life and customs. Mesopotamian theology offers a vision of the afterlife that is not optimistic. They believed death was inevitable; even Gilgamesh who was two-thirds god and one-third human was mortal. Enlil of the mountain stated in the Epic of Gilgamesh “...O’ Gilgamesh this is the meaning of your dream. You were given the kingship‚ such
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The ancient cultures of Mesopotamia and Egypt developed into successful civilizations because they effectively utilized their surroundings. Rivers being the main geographic feature that led to successful development. From there on they went on to make many innovations to their traditional technology and techniques. These ancient cultures were also able to develop effective ways of governing their civilizations. Religion through cultural diffusion‚ brought together the city-states and empires created
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The epic poems The Odyssey‚ written by Homer‚ and Gilgamesh‚ translated by David Ferry‚ feature the struggles and triumphs of two epic heroes‚ Odysseus and Gilgamesh. Epic heroes exemplify six common traits. They are all strong fighters‚ complete with physical beauty and intimidation. The epic hero is dangerous yet protects ordinary people. There is always an encounter with death and the cosmos. They are superhuman‚ but they are not supernatural‚ although they come in contact with the supernatural
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connected the river to their higher power they had different views on the river. In Mesopotamian society‚ the people were afraid of the river and prayed to their gods to not kill them with the floods. In the Epic of Gilgamesh‚ there is a short story within it about Gilgamesh and the Flood. In Gilgamesh and
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Mesopotamia (1) Some of the Mesopotamia cities were Ur‚ Hatra‚ Samarra‚ Nineveh‚ Lasgash‚ Nasiriyah‚ Assur‚ etc. The people within the cities were well known for the metal work‚ wooden textiles‚ and stoneware. (2) Mesopotamia’s government is known as theocracy‚ it consisted of each city having its own chief‚ working under a single ruler. (3) The Mesopotamia’s religion was polytheistic‚ the people strongly had a belief that the ziggurats connected heaven and earth. The gods or goddesses had
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201 Enkidu and Gilgamesh the Choices of the two Gilgamesh was not capable of being a good King. Gilgamesh was very arrogant and oppressive and chose to be unfair to his people. “His lust left no virgins to her lover‚ not a warrior’s daughter or the wives of his nobles” (p.13). He claim whatever or whomever he wanted‚ His qualities almost appear beastly. Enkidu‚ who was Gilgamesh equal in size‚ and beauty‚ but not in strength‚ was made by the Gods‚ because of Gilgamesh harsh treatment of
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DOCUMENT RESUME CS 201 686 ED 098 597 AUTHOR TITLE INSTITUTION Fleming‚ Margaret‚ Ed. Teaching the Epic. National Council of Teachers of English‚ Urbana‚ PUB DATE NOTE AVAILABLE FROM 74 120p. EDRS PRICE DESCRIPTORS MF-$0.75 HC-$5.40 PLUS POSTAGE American Literature; Bibliographies; Classical Literature; English Instruction; *Epics; German Literature; Greek Literature; High Schools; Legends; *Literary Analysis; Literature; *Literature Appreciation; Medieval Literature;
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Lindsay Evans AP World Euro Fourth Block Friday August 27‚ 2010 Egypt and Mesopotamia Compare Contrast Essay Ancient Mesopotamia went through many different empires that shared similar parts cultural traits‚ where as Egypt went through several different rulers‚ but only a few dynasties. Mesopotamia lied in between the Tigris and Euphrates Rivers‚ and its main empires existed from 1650 BCE to around 330 BCE. The ancient Egyptian empires went through four main phases: The Archaic Period (3100-2600
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Mesopotamia Mesopotamia means the place in between two rivers‚ hence Mesopotamia is in between two rivers. One river is the Tigris river and the other river is the Euphrates. The plain‚ broad area‚ that is in between these two river is called Sumer and spreads over 10‚000 square miles‚ or 6400000 acres‚ which is a lot of land. Sumerian cities are dotted all over this plain of land‚ these cities are known as city states. These city states are made up of a city and the surrounding area is villages
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