PLEASE HELP!!! really confused. 10 points to the first and best answer!!!?

Question

I know this is long but please do a favour and help me! What does the following passage suggest about the values of ancient Mesopotamians?

The Epic of Gilgamesh. Many consider it to be the greatest literary composition written in cuneiform Akkadian around 2150 BC. This epic portrays the life of the great warrior, Gilgamesh. It chronicles how his victories, both militaristic and internal, ultimately determined his superiority. This relates to the ancient Mesopotamian society in many ways, including the role of warriors and the dual nature of Gilgamesh. It is evident from the beginning of the Epic of Gilgamesh how vital of a role warrior’s played in ancient Mesopotamian society. Warriors were considered top of the social hierarchy. All other authoritative figures were considered subordinate. Uruk’s inhabitants deemed Gilgamesh as their superior: “There is nobody among the kings of teeming humanity who can compare with him…Belet-ili designed the shape of his body, made his form perfect…In Uruk the Sheepfold he would walk about, show himself superior, his head held high like a wild bull.” 2 Gilgamesh epitomizes the ideal hero in the eyes of his society through admirable physical strength, bodily perfection, and bravery. This admiration directly pertains to ancient Mesopotamia and the earliest Sumerian governments. For instance, “When crises arose, assemblies yielded their power to individuals who possessed full authority during the period of emergency.”3 Back then, it was considered common knowledge that early governments based their decisions for the good of the entire community. Gilgamesh demonstrates these same tactics when he finds his community in danger. For example, Gilgamesh seized the Bull of Heaven, which came down from the skies, in order to protect his cherished citizens. 4 Protection of the city is Gilgamesh’s main objective. He states, “I shall face unknown opposition, I shall ride along an unknown road.” 5 Here, Gilgamesh seeks out to Pine Forest where he slays Humbaba, in order to exterminate evil and safeguard his city. Sumerian cities also faced external tribulations because of their wealth and virtually defenseless entrances o their land. Because the land and location was so flat and vulnerable the cities built defensive walls and organized military forces.6 Gilgamesh built a very similar structure. The wall of Uruk was an amazing barrier that sheltered every square mile of land. The citizens of Uruk claimed the wall to be “the pure treasury.” 7 It becomes evident in Mesopotamian culture as well as with Gilgamesh that major defense mechanisms are needed in order to maintain security. When a city –state gains structure the next step is to become proactively aggressive; therefore, conquering and punishing other cities. For example, “External threats came later to Egypt than to Mesopotamia, but the invasion of the Hyksos prompted the pharaohs to seize control of regions that might pose future threats.” 8 In addition, Gilgamesh displays these same ideas when adventuring into the Pine Forest. Because its citizens adored Mesopotamia’s physical landscape, they would protect their land at all costs. Gilgamesh’s image and qualities depict those of an ideal man. He controls a great deal of power and status, for he is believed to be two-thirds divine and one-third human. He also possesses power through his kingship. Gilgamesh displays a great amount of hubris. Priding himself with greatness he states, “Gilgamesh is finest among the young males! Gilgamesh is proudest among the males” 9 He is not only spiritually content, but also physically appealing. He represents the ideal man through wealth, handsomeness, and power. These traits were also important of the Egyptian pharaohs. Because the city valued their leader to such a great extent, they built massive pyramids as royal tombs. They also believed that heroes were gods living on earth.10 This helps comprehend the importance of Gilgamesh’s part divinity, part human character. Hammurabi of the Babylonian empire proclaimed that the gods named him “to promote the welfare of the people…to cause justice to prevail in the land, to destroy wicked and evil, so that the strong might not oppress the weak…” 11 The strength of these heroes and their “divinity” demonstrates what kind of leaders were respected and worshiped in Mesopotamia.

Answer 1

It suggests that the people of the time praised, nay, admired and submitted to those who displayed physical power, prowess, and accomplishment, yet overlooked such traits as vanity and arrogance. Just look at where they are now.

Answer 2

For one thing, the Mesopotamians admired strength. Their hero, Gilgamesh, was the strongest. It didn't say that he was the smartest, or the fastest, or the kindest. None of these things are mentioned. Gilgamesh was known for his strength. The wall of Uruk is and example of this as well. It's a huge, strong wall that protects the city, even if the city has an amazing army. They seemed to be proud of how strong they were, because they kept running around and conquering other villages.
I hope this helped and good luck.

Answer 3

In the first place Gilgamesh’s divinity, part human character. Hammurabi of the Babylonian is under stood as a sighn at first but latter as as the good of the under world.

So his physically is also ?able babylonian was destored by the time of the giving so he can't be therer at the time.

Answer 4

Suggests to me they valued basic human attributes. The respected the actions and even physical appearence of their leaders more than some abstract faith-based value system.

But I just want the 10 points...

Answer 5

the values of antient messoppotamians, are their people, you see, those who were loved, were loved because they fought to defend their land and people, there are a lot of words but that's the main point, Gilgamesh was a hero and a third part God because he fought for his people, he used his power and authority for good and he defended his land. Also they believed in opresing neighbor villages in order to prevent being opressed themselves, so it's about protecting and surviving.
Hope it helps.

Answer 6

it is confusing.
i guess it just shows the relation of gilgamesh and the government. they boths serve their people. it also shows how much values is placed on warriors. gilgamesh was a hero to them. i mean the answer to the question you asked is in the text you wrote out. just read it carefully.

Answer 7

Why are you confused? The article spells out the values - militaristic , might makes right, god is on their side? Are you reading the info? Or panicked by the length of the article. It might help you to read it aloud. Try that.

Answer 8

You asked, "...What does the following passage suggest about the values of ancient Mesopotamians? ..."

Clearly, this passage shows that they were not creditworthy, that they probably were inbred, and that they ate way too much polyunsaturated fat.

Answer 9

i'm only 14 . maybe i could help u in like another 5 years. sry :(

Answer 10

iT PRETTy MUCH SUGGESTS THAT ANCiENT MESOPOTAMiANS WERE SORTA RiCH PEOPLE AND THAT THE THiNGS THEy DiD OR HAD WAS VERy iMPORTANT...
BUT TRULy i DONT KNOW MUCH ABOUT THAT BECAUSE i jUST STARTED HiGH SCHOOL A COUPLE MONTHS AGO