Mesopotamia: The Hero Gilgamesh

Flashcards covering key vocabulary and concepts related to the Epic of Gilgamesh and its themes.

Hero

A figure in whom the gods take a special interest; usually part divine.

Monomyth

A term coined by Joseph Campbell referring to the hero's journey that follows a basic plot with similar challenges and resolutions.

Katabasis

A journey to the underworld; often represents a hero's quest to confront death or gain knowledge.

Enkidu

A wild man created by Aruru as a foil and friend to Gilgamesh.

Gilgamesh

Historical king of Uruk and the central character in the Epic of Gilgamesh.

Cedar Forest

The mystical forest guarded by Humbaba, which Gilgamesh and Enkidu seek to conquer.

Utnapishtim

A character in the Epic of Gilgamesh who survives a great flood and is granted immortality.

Humbaba

The monstrous guardian of the Cedar Forest, an antagonist defeated by Gilgamesh and Enkidu.

Ishtar

Goddess of love and war, who seeks to seduce Gilgamesh.

Divine Council

A gathering of gods to deliberate and make decisions, often related to human affairs.

Flood Narrative

Refers to the story within the Epic of Gilgamesh, paralleling other ancient flood myths.

Vassal State

A state that is subordinate to a more powerful state, often paying tribute.

Cultural Hero Code

The specific values and behaviors that define heroism within a cultural context.

The Bull of Heaven

A celestial being sent by Ishtar to punish Gilgamesh after he spurns her.

Grief and Mortality

Key themes explored in the epic, particularly through Gilgamesh's reaction to Enkidu's death.

Joseph Campbell

A mythologist who studied and popularized the concept of the monomyth and the hero's journey.