Enuma ElishWorld LiteratureMr. Brennan

“Causes” of a TableWhat makes a table, a table?What causes a table to “be”?

Do-Now Monday, September 9, 2013

SWBAT gain a deeper understanding of Ancient Mesopotamian culture by analyzing the form and function of the creation story, Enuma Elish.

1. HW Collection: College Essay: Draft 1 / Syllabus

2. Mini-Lecture: Aristotle’s Four Causes 3. Mini-Lecture: Mesopotamian Context 4. Class Reading: Enuma Elish

Learning Objective

AGENDA

Finish Reading Enuma Elish HomeworkReminders

Aristotle’s Four CausesKnowledge is the object of our inquiry, and men do not think they know a thing till they have grasped the ‘why’ of it (which is to grasp its primary cause). 1. Material Cause2. Formal Cause3. Efficient Cause4. Final Cause

“What makes something so-and-so?”

Material CauseX is made out of YFormal CauseY is what it is to be XEfficient CauseY is what produces XFinal CauseY is what X is for

A table is made out of wood

Having four legs and

a flat top makes this

(count as) a table

A carpenter makes a tableHaving a surface

suitable for eating

or writing makes

this (work as) a table

“What makes something so-and-so?”

Material CauseX is made out of YFormal CauseY is what it is to be XEfficient CauseY is what produces XFinal CauseY is what X is for

C R E A T I O N

M Y T H S

MesopotamiaGreek Origin: mesos (middle) + potamos (river) = “land between rivers”

Mesopotamia Encompasses the land between the

Euphrates & Tigris rivers in modern day

IRAQ

Mesopotamia• Considered to be the cradle of civilization,

the site of the emergence of civilization. • During the Bronze Age (3600-1200 BC)

Mesopotamia included various empires: Sumer Empire Akkadian Empire Babylonian Empire

Babylonia • The Babylonian Empire emerged around 2000 BC• It was often in conflict with the

nearby nations, but became the major power in the region after Hammurabi created an empire out of many of the territories of the former Akkadian Empire (1792 BC).

• It is during this period when the Babylonian creation myth originates

Enuma Elish• The Babylonian EPIC of CREATION

is recorded on seven clay tablets (it’s named after its opening words)

• Scholars believe it was recited during the Akitu festival, or Babylonian new year. The epic describes two primeval gods, Apsu (fresh waters) and Tiamat (salt waters),

whose fluids join to generate creation. Other gods spring from their union; however, disharmony

prevails, and Apsu is provoked to move against the younger

gods.

Anal

yzin

g En

uma

Elish

• Metaphysical (Origin of Cosmos):

• Religious (Poly- Mono- theistic):

• Social/Political (Hierarchy of Power):

• Social/Political (Patri- Matri- archy):

• Axis mundi (World Axis):

• Anthropological (Origin of Man):

• Environmental (Explanation of Natural):

• Psychological (Psyche/Archetypes):

• Morality (Values/Good v. Evil/Purpose of Man):

Theogony of Enuma Elish

APSU

Lahmu

Anshar

TIAMAT

Lahamu

KisharANU

Nudimmud (Ea)

Mummu

DamkinaBel MARDUK

Qingu

implying male power

noise repeated

Tiamat’s belly = Anduruna

Tiamat (mother) responsible for quieting children?However, female is too weak to do what is necessary?

councilor/advisor

Close Reading

Female naturally filled with “rage” and must “suppress” the “evil” inside herProtective Mother

Male AuthorityNotion of female needing male portection

Was relayed to the gods their sons

By whom?