After having read the textbook chapter on Mesopotamia and the Web assignment on Gilgamesh (http://www.ancienttexts.org/library/mesopotamian/gilgamesh/), you are to discuss how the Epic of Gilgamesh mirrors Mesopotamian society and culture. You should pay particular attention to the roles of gender relations, sex, and violence. What role did women play in Mesopotamian society? What status did they hold in comparison to men? What role did men hold in Mesopotamia? How did Gilgamesh compare to the real Mesopotamian rulers and other gods?
What role did sex and violence play in Mesopotamian society? Why did they dominate a major part of the Epic’s story line? Be specific and give detailed examples from both the text and the Epic to back up your statements. Your paper should be between three to five typed pages in length.