Iris Denner: Gilgamesh (Assigned Readings)

Gilgamesh is a demigod in ancient Mesopotamian writings who was known for his superhuman strength on both land and sea. Gilgamesh sets out on quests across the world and is the classic story known as an epic. He followed orders of both his mind and other rulers of the area. His quests proved his competence to others and to himself. He searches for the plant of eternal youth (ancients were obsessed with youth which makes no sense because everyone died young) and runs into some challenges that prevent his safe return. This story overall is a good way to show what a traditional journey looks like. It also provides proof that humans had been taking journeys and were writing about journeys long before religious pilgrimages started happening. 

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