Difference between revisions of "How do the gods behave and relate to humans?"
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The gods behave and relate to humans in two ways. First of all, there is the relationship of worshiper and god. The humans pray to the gods and in return the gods provide them with favorable futures. They also serve as spiritual guardians and enforcer. For example, when Gilgamesh told of Ishtar's foulness, she went to Anu her father and Antum her mother to send the Bull of Heaven with which to punish him. There is also Nergal, god of the Underworld, who is the one definite in the lives of the humans- death. Lastly, there is the relationship that is almost human to human. There was one isolated case in the book ''Gilgamesh'' in which Ishtar asks Gilgamesh to "Be my lover, be my husband," (29). However, this is an isolated case and was probably not repeated often, or at all. On the same topic, there is the relationship of god to god in which a human is at god or god-like status. The one example of this was that of the one man who survived the Great Flood. However, as with the aforementioned relationship, this is an isolated case. | The gods behave and relate to humans in two ways. First of all, there is the relationship of worshiper and god. The humans pray to the gods and in return the gods provide them with favorable futures. They also serve as spiritual guardians and enforcer. For example, when Gilgamesh told of Ishtar's foulness, she went to Anu her father and Antum her mother to send the Bull of Heaven with which to punish him. There is also Nergal, god of the Underworld, who is the one definite in the lives of the humans- death. Lastly, there is the relationship that is almost human to human. There was one isolated case in the book ''Gilgamesh'' in which Ishtar asks Gilgamesh to "Be my lover, be my husband," (29). However, this is an isolated case and was probably not repeated often, or at all. On the same topic, there is the relationship of god to god in which a human is at god or god-like status. The one example of this was that of the one man who survived the Great Flood. However, as with the aforementioned relationship, this is an isolated case. | ||
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Revision as of 18:15, 31 October 2011
Overview
The gods behave and relate to humans in two ways. First of all, there is the relationship of worshiper and god. The humans pray to the gods and in return the gods provide them with favorable futures. They also serve as spiritual guardians and enforcer. For example, when Gilgamesh told of Ishtar's foulness, she went to Anu her father and Antum her mother to send the Bull of Heaven with which to punish him. There is also Nergal, god of the Underworld, who is the one definite in the lives of the humans- death. Lastly, there is the relationship that is almost human to human. There was one isolated case in the book Gilgamesh in which Ishtar asks Gilgamesh to "Be my lover, be my husband," (29). However, this is an isolated case and was probably not repeated often, or at all. On the same topic, there is the relationship of god to god in which a human is at god or god-like status. The one example of this was that of the one man who survived the Great Flood. However, as with the aforementioned relationship, this is an isolated case.
Source
Gilgamesh by David Ferry
Return to History 8 Mesopotamia Gilgamesh
