■ COMPARATIVE AND DISCUSSION QUESTIONS ■

1. Question

   In what ways is the relationship between gods and humans in the Mesopotamian sources (Documents 1-1 and 1-2) different from the relationship in the Egyptian documents (Documents 1-3 and 1-4)? What role might geography and climate play in explaining the differences you note?

2. Question

   What role do goddesses play in the “Mesopotamian Creation Myth” (Document 1-1) and The Epic of Gilgamesh (Document 1-2)? What connections can you make between the depiction of goddesses in these documents and the Mesopotamian attitudes toward women revealed in Hammurabi’s code?

3. Question

   Based on the documents, what would you list as the top priorities of a model Egyptian or Mesopotamian citizen? List at least three priorities each for Egyptians and Mesopotamians.

4. Question

   Compare and contrast the view of nature presented in Akhenaten’s “Hymn to Aton” (Document 1-6) and the “Lamentation Over the Destruction of Sumer and Ur.” (Document 1-7) How would you explain the differences you note?