Difference between revisions of "What is the relationship of religion or the temple and the state or the king?"
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The uneasy relationship between religion or the temple and the state or the king causes constant conflict of who is going to rule. Sometimes the temple dominates, but sometimes the king dominates. | The uneasy relationship between religion or the temple and the state or the king causes constant conflict of who is going to rule. Sometimes the temple dominates, but sometimes the king dominates. | ||
| − | The tilt away from religion to rulers is difficult because priests and priestesses had ruled the country before the kings. When religion and state have balanced power, then there is no conflict, but when the power is unbalanced, a struggle arises. In the epic, '''Gilgamesh,''' by David Ferry, there is conflict between Gilgamesh, the powerful king, and Ishtar, the Goddess of love and war taking the form of a priestess. Ishtar wants to have sexual intercourse with Gilgamesh, and make him her husband. Upon remembering the unhappy fates of Ishtar's previous husbands, Gilgamesh declines. Vicious with rage and embarrassed of her mockery, Ishtar sends the Bull of Heaven down to Earth to kill Gilgamesh. However, Gilgamesh and his loyal companion, Enkidu, overthrow the beast with ease. Though not written in my text, I have been told that Gilgamesh and Enkidu begin to throw the monster's meat at the foul goddess after their victory. After the lively battle, Gilgamesh says, "If I could reach you I would do to you what you have seen me do to the Bull of Heaven. I would festoon you with the guts of the bull." (Page 35) This shows the rise of power of the state and king. Also, Gilgamesh declares, "I am the strongest. My fame will be secure to all my sons. The city scorns the goddess and shouts in praise of Gilgamesh because he has won the glory." (Page 36) Gilgamesh mocks the gods in an even further extent in this passage. Gilgamesh does not fail to mention his extreme superiority. | + | The tilt away from religion to rulers is difficult because priests and priestesses had ruled the country before the kings. When religion and state have balanced power, then there is no conflict, but when the power is unbalanced, a struggle arises. In the epic, '''Gilgamesh,''' by David Ferry, there is conflict between Gilgamesh, the powerful king, and Ishtar, the Goddess of love and war taking the form of a priestess. Ishtar wants to have sexual intercourse with Gilgamesh, and make him her husband. Upon remembering the unhappy fates of Ishtar's previous husbands, Gilgamesh declines. Vicious with rage and embarrassed of her mockery, Ishtar sends the Bull of Heaven down to Earth to kill Gilgamesh. However, Gilgamesh and his loyal companion, Enkidu, overthrow the beast with ease. Though not written in my text, I have been told that Gilgamesh and Enkidu begin to throw the monster's meat at the foul goddess after their victory. After the lively battle, Gilgamesh says, "If I could reach you I would do to you what you have seen me do to the Bull of Heaven. I would festoon you with the guts of the bull." (Page 35) This shows the rise of power of the state and king. Also, Gilgamesh declares, "I am the strongest. My fame will be secure to all my sons. The city scorns the goddess and shouts in praise of Gilgamesh because he has won the glory." (Page 36) Gilgamesh mocks the gods in an even further extent in this passage. Gilgamesh does not fail to mention his extreme superiority. There is conflict because Gilgamesh's power is greater than Ishtar's. |
Revision as of 18:21, 2 November 2011
The uneasy relationship between religion or the temple and the state or the king causes constant conflict of who is going to rule. Sometimes the temple dominates, but sometimes the king dominates. The tilt away from religion to rulers is difficult because priests and priestesses had ruled the country before the kings. When religion and state have balanced power, then there is no conflict, but when the power is unbalanced, a struggle arises. In the epic, Gilgamesh, by David Ferry, there is conflict between Gilgamesh, the powerful king, and Ishtar, the Goddess of love and war taking the form of a priestess. Ishtar wants to have sexual intercourse with Gilgamesh, and make him her husband. Upon remembering the unhappy fates of Ishtar's previous husbands, Gilgamesh declines. Vicious with rage and embarrassed of her mockery, Ishtar sends the Bull of Heaven down to Earth to kill Gilgamesh. However, Gilgamesh and his loyal companion, Enkidu, overthrow the beast with ease. Though not written in my text, I have been told that Gilgamesh and Enkidu begin to throw the monster's meat at the foul goddess after their victory. After the lively battle, Gilgamesh says, "If I could reach you I would do to you what you have seen me do to the Bull of Heaven. I would festoon you with the guts of the bull." (Page 35) This shows the rise of power of the state and king. Also, Gilgamesh declares, "I am the strongest. My fame will be secure to all my sons. The city scorns the goddess and shouts in praise of Gilgamesh because he has won the glory." (Page 36) Gilgamesh mocks the gods in an even further extent in this passage. Gilgamesh does not fail to mention his extreme superiority. There is conflict because Gilgamesh's power is greater than Ishtar's.
