Table of Contents
What did Utnapishtim tell Gilgamesh?
Utnapishtim tells Gilgamesh the story of the flood—how the gods met in council and decided to destroy humankind. Ea, the god of wisdom, warned Utnapishtim about the gods’ plans and told him how to fashion a gigantic boat in which his family and the seed of every living creature might escape.
What test does Utnapishtim give to Gilgamesh to see if he is worthy of eternal life *?
For saving humanity, he granted them eternal life. But they alone deserved that gift. When Utnapishtim finishes his story, he looks at Gilgamesh with scorn and asks if he really thinks he is worthy of becoming a god and living forever too. He tells Gilgamesh that, as a test, he should try to go a week without sleeping.
What did the gods advise Utnapishtim to do before the flood?
He asks Utnapishtim how he received immortality, and Utnapishtim tells him the great secret hidden from humans: In the time before the Flood, there was a city, Shuruppak, on the banks of the Euphrates. Utnapishtim then loads the boat with gold, silver, and all the living things of the earth, and launches the boat.
Why does Utnapishtim say the gods decide to destroy humanity?
Utnapishtim is able to tell about his tale because he’s immortal now that the god Enlil has given him the capability. Why do the gods decide to destroy humanity? The gods decided to destroy humanity due to the fact that they’re so loud and noisy. What lessons migh Gilgamesh draw from the gods experiences?
Why does Gilgamesh refuse to marry Ishtar?
In Tablet VI of the Epic of Gilgamesh, Gilgamesh rejects Ishtar’s advances after describing the harm she has caused to her previous lovers (e.g. she turned a shepard into a wolf).
What Gilgamesh fears most?
After Enkidu dies, Gilgamesh becomes consumed by overpowering fear—the fear of death.
Why does Gilgamesh leave Uruk?
Why does Gilgamesh leave Uruk after Enkidu dies? to find out how he can avoid having to die himself. What river flows past Uruk?
Why do the gods destroy humanity in Gilgamesh?
When Gilgamesh reached the distant home of Utnapishtim the Faraway, he demanded to know how this one man gained everlasting life. Utnapishtim replied that in ancient times, the gods resolved to destroy mankind by a huge flood because humans made too much noise and the gods were very irritated by the uproar of men.
How did Utnapishtim make a sacrifice to the gods?
Utnapishtim then set all the animals free and made a sacrifice to the gods. The gods were happy he had obeyed their wish and preserved the seed of man. In return for his trust and loyalty, the gods gave him and his wife the gift of immortality and a place among the heavenly gods.
How did Utnapishtim prepare for the Babylonian flood?
Knowing that the oncoming flood would wipe out all life on Earth, Utnapishtim was told to quickly take his wife, relatives, some of the villagers, animals along with various grains and seeds and board the ship. The entrance to the ship was sealed once everyone had boarded it.
What did Utnapishtim tell Gilgamesh to do?
Utnapishtim tells Gilgamesh to abandon his search for immortality but tells him that there is a place where the Flower of Immortality is located and that it can restore his youth and the youth of others. Gilgamesh gets the flower and leaves for home with the boatman, but along the way, a serpent in the pool steals the flower and it is lost.
Why was the Utnapishtim ship made of solid timber?
The ship was made of solid timber so that the rays of Shamash (the Sun) would not shine in, and of equal dimensions in length and width. God Enki assisted with the design and construction of The Preserver of Life.