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What Was The Mesopotamian View Of The Afterlife?

Decent Essays

HIST 120
June 17, 2013
Chapter 1

1. What was the Mesopotamian view of the afterlife? Life and human fortune was very instable in Mesopotamians’ eyes. People just observed death and afterlife from a distance and some made them into a series of myths. For instance, “The Epic of Gilgamesh” expresses its idea on eventual death. No matter how hard Gilgamesh tries to lengthen his life, his death is predestined. The Mesopotamians viewed afterlife as an inevitable end.

2. What is the message of Siduri’s advice to Gilgamesh?
The message from Siduri to Gilgamesh is that one cannot hurry to the meaning of life. As God assigned us all to our eventually endings, we should be in the best condition to face the reality, death. “You will …show more content…

What do humans expect of their gods? * The Gods are more superior beings then men and gave blessings and punishments to humans. On the other hand, humans pay tributes and ask questions to gods. For instance, Gilgamesh continuously asks deities for advices. Mesopotamian deities were more approachable beings rather than inaccessible things. *
6. What specific actions did Hammurabi take in his attempt to provide for the good order of society and the basic welfare of his subjects? * Hammurabi produced the law codes called “Code of Hammurabi” in order to acquire order and welfare. As Hammurabi state in his prologue, “Right and Justice I established in the land, for the good of the people.” (prologue, Hammurabi’s Code) *
7. What was the status of women in this society? Did they enjoy any protection or liberties? * The status of women in Mesopotamia was lower then men. Women enjoyed some protection and liberties, yet not as much as men. *
8. Mesopotamian society had been characterized as a patriarchal society. Does the evidence in this collection of decisions tend to support or refute that judgment? * The Hammurabi code is definitely patriarchal. Most laws in the “Marriage and the family” section starts with an excerpt of “If a man”. This supposes that it is the males who are considered first. The Hammurabi code supports the patriarchal characteristic of Mesopotamian society. Additionally, a property law states

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