From the time writing was created, written works have been able to allow us to examine societies and ideas that would have otherwise been lost to us. In written accounts of oral stories and laws that are passed down through time show a glimpse of the societies from which they came. Upon further examination of these historical accounts, current societies are able to deduce, not just the environment the subjects live in, but possible their way of life. You can find examples of this in The Epic of Gilgamesh and King Hammurabi of Babylon’s laws. If you knew very little about ancient Mesopotamia, The Epic of Gilgamesh could give you some insight on the environment and culture. In The Epic of Gilgamesh, there is a distinct and strong presence of multiple gods that routinely, not only interact with their subjects, but have the vast effect on their subject’s daily lives. For example, The Story of the Flood recounts that in the city of Shurrupak that stands on the banks of Eurphrates. The old Gods who resided within the city decided due to the population increase to destroy mankind since they could achieve no rest. However, Ea, spoke to a man inside a reed house and advised him to tear down his house and build a boat to withstand the coming flood. …show more content…
In the Prologue, it is described how Gilgamesh travel the world and because of this experience knew secret things about the time before the flood. In Uruk, Gilgamesh built an outer wall made of copper, an inner wall made of brick which had no equal, a great rampart, and a temple for the gods of firmament (Anu) and the goddess of love (Ishtar). Likewise, the Prologue also described some of the inhabitants of the city. It was stated that the inhabitants were dressed in the finest robes, the young men and women were the most pleasing to see and smell. It was also stated that every day was a day of celebration inside