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