The First Civilizations - Baby's First Year

Copyright © by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.
Name Date Class
WORLD LITERATURE READING 1
Early Literature
About the Selection
The Epic of Gilgamesh was discovered
in ancient Mesopotamia and is the oldest
known piece of literature in the world. It
was written in cuneiform (wedge-shaped
characters) on stone tablets. It tells the
story of the warrior Gilgamesh. After his
friend Enkidu dies, Gilgamesh is so overcome
by grief that he searches for a way
to live forever. In the end, he must accept
that only the gods are immortal.
Guided Reading
As you read this excerpt from the
epic, pay attention to how Enkidu
describes his dreams. Then answer
the questions that follow.
The Epic of Gilgamesh
Tablet VII, Column iv
With these last words the dying Enkidu did pray
and say to his beloved companion:
“In dreams last night
the heavens and the earth poured out
great groans while I alone
stood facing devastation. Some fierce
and threatening creature flew down at me
and pushed me with its talons towards
the horror-filled house of death
wherein Irkalla, queen of shades,
stands in command.
There is darkness which lets no person
again see light of day.
There is a road leading away from
bright and lively life.
There dwell those who eat dry dust
and have no cooling water to quench their awful thirst.
As I stood there I saw all those who’ve died
and even kings among those darkened souls
Reader’s Dictionary
devastation: destruction and ruin
talons: claws of a bird
quench: to satisfy
remote: distant, far removed
forfeit: lose
resumed: began again
withering: shriveling and drying up
deprived: withheld something from
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CHAPTER 1