In the Epic of Gilgamesh we find lots of information about Mesopotamian society. What kinds of information does it provide about such things as daily life, social structures, or political institutions? We also learn quite a bit about Mesopotamian religion. How would you describe it based on Gilgamesh?
The Code of Hammurabi is also treasure of information about Mesopotamian society- social classes, economics, marriage, occupations, justice, and so on. What is the source of authority for Hammurabi's laws? What do you make of the "throwing in the river?" On what basis could you argue that this code marks a significant advance in law and the ordering of society?
What kinds of concerns are reflected in the excerpts from the Codes of the Nesilim and the Assyrians? What similarities or differences do you see to the Code of Hammurabi?
What is the relationship of God to the Hebrews in the excerpts from Exodus? To other people? What kinds of concerns are reflected in the excerpts you read? What similarities to or differences from the other legal codes do you see? How would you compare the Hebrews to their rough contemporaries in the Middle East?
How would you compare the mentality (mood, outlook) of the Egyptian documents with that of the Mesopotamian ones?
How would you describe the society described in Ptah-Hotep's advice? From where does wisdom come?
Posted by mdsec
at 12:03 PM PDT
