Notes for Pages 64-82

Notes:
Epic: noting or pertaining to a long poetic composition, usually centered upon a hero, in which a series of greatachievements or events is narrated in elevated style

Gilgamesh

• Gilgamesh is 4000 years old
• Gilgamesh built a home for all the major gods
• He is said to be a third man and two thirds god. 
• The story takes place in Uruk
• Uruk was an ancient city of Sumer, and was also situated east of the present bed of the Euphrates river
• Gilgamesh, as the king of Uruk, pretty does whatever he wants to do without restriction
• Anu is the Father of the Gods
•  Ishtar is the Goddess of Love
• Gilgamesh's father is Lugalbanda 
• Mother is Lady Wildcow Ninsun
• Gilgamesh is the vanguard and rear guard of the army 

The Iliad:

• The Iliad is 3000 years old
• Zeus is Athena's father and she was born by coming from his brow. 
• Hector was the commander of the Trojan army
• Achilles and his army had beaten back Hektor and the Trojan army 
• Hektor was scared at first, and ran around the city three times 
• But finally conquered his fear and challenged Achilles to fight
• Athena disguised herself as a Trojan soldier and lead Hektor to Achilles 
• Achilles had said that there were to be no oaths between enemies
• Achilles is fighting because he wants to avenge all the people that Hektor had killed
• Athena helps Achilles by pretending to be a Trojan warrior that is supposed to be helping Hektor, but secretly gives aid to Achilles
• Hektor knew he was going to die, but he wanted to go down fighting and to be remembered for years to come
• Hektor wanted a swift death, and Achilles knew the weakness in the armor that Hektor was wearing and stabbed him in the neck 
• Achilles has a vendetta against Hektor because Hektor had killed his friend, Patroklos 
• After Achilles stabs Hektor in the neck he wants to leave him out and be eaten, but Hektor begs to be cremated and promises treasure
• Achilles refuses and shows Hektor no mercy. 
• Hektor uses his final breath to curse Achilles saying the gods weren't on his side, but Achilles knew that the gods and fate were in his favor.