Question

How does gilgamesh represent mesopotaminan society

Answer 1

The Epic of Gilgamesh, despite many fictional or fantastical elements, is actually grounded in history. Gilgamesh appears as the king of Uruk in the Sumerian king lists. He was a real king and Uruk was a real city.

The first thing we learn is that Mesopotamian religion was polytheistic and anthropomorphic. There were many gods and goddesses, and they had the appearance and character of supernaturally powerful and immortal humans, albeit ones still bearing some association with primal natural forces. The gods mated with each other, had children, and were capable of interbreeding with humans, giving rise to heroes. The gods demanded respect and worship from humans and had an interest in regulating human ethical behavior. They were especially concerned with kings, who were tasked with serving as conduits of divine justice. In the story, we see the evolution of Gilgamesh from unjust to just king and the way the gods enforce the notion that the duty of a king is to deal justly with his subjects, something we also see in Mesopotamian law codes.

We also see a highly stratified society with vast differences in wealth and power determined largely in a hereditary manner. There are also quite distinct gender roles, with women generally subordinate to men. We also see a society that is quite warlike, and which admires physical strength and military skill. The society is also quite sophisticated for its period, showing evidence of urbanization, literacy, and a complex conception of justice. The urban center relies on surrounding agricultural areas for food production.