A Comparison of Sumerian and Hebrew views of the Afterlife

A detailed Summary of A Comparison of Sumerian and Hebrew views of the Afterlife

A Comparison: Sumerian and Hebrew Views of the Afterlife

For centuries religion has been a significant and intricate part of human societies. Some would say that religion is as important to mankind as food and water. While food and water keeps us going,religion provides a reason and purpose for that life. In short, religion is man's attempt to understand the world around them and their place in it. Furthermore, religious values maintain order and a code of how mankind should behave among their peers and families. As religion is man-made, it can reveal much about a society's standards and sense of self. So, religion is both a shaper as well as a reflection of society. The ancient Sumerian and Hebrew societies both held detailed religious beliefs which shaped their different perspectives. Each society also, under the canopy of their own religion, had a belief in and perception of the afterlife. Hense, their different beliefs in that afterlife can be seen as an explanation for the ways in which they perceived and lived life.

The Sumarians pursued life with voracious thirst and believed in enjoying life to the fullest, savoring all human pleasures. On the other hand, the Hebrew religion stressed the importance of

traditions and accordance with repressive laws that pleased their God, believing that their real life was after death in heaven. The Epic of Gilgamesh and the Old Testament of the Bible provide good sources for the comparison of these different civilization's perceptions of life and death.

undetered. Upon finding Utnapishtim, the immortal man recites to Gilgamesh this motto on life and the lot of mankind. In line with Sumerian belief, Utnapishtim tells Gilgamesh to enjoy life while he can because for all mankind, "There is no permanence." So, in The Epic of Gilgamesh, through the lens of religion, the reader can greater understand Sumerian society and norms.

there was no promising afterlife for Sumarians. In The Epic of Gilgamesh, Enkindu, upon his death, reveals a dream of the underworld to his friend Gilgamesh. Enkindu describes the world as desolate,

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Approximate Word count = 1107
Approximate Pages = 4 (250 words per page double spaced)

Category: Politics

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A Comparison of Sumerian and Hebrew views of the Afterlife

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