The Epic of Gilgamesh

Identify one or more details that help you understand a particular custom or belief of ancient Sumerians.

From The Epic of Gilgamesh translated by N.K. Sandars.......In The Battle With Humbaba....  Also please indicate the custom or belief that the detail or details help you understand.

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The eating of bread and drinking of wine....

 

Then the woman said , Enkidu, eat broad, it is the staff of life; drink the wine, it is the custom of the land.'

Sacrifices to the gods.....

 

Then I threw everything open to the four winds, I made a sacrifice and poured out a libation on the mountain top. Seven and again seven cauldrons I set up on their stands, I heaped up wood and cane and cedar and myrtle. When the gods smelled the sweet savour, they gathered like flies over the sacrifice.

Using dreams as portents of the future......

 

'O my brother, such a dream I had last night. Anu, Enlil, Ea and heavenly Shamash took counsel together, and Anu said to Enlil, "Because they have killed the Bull of Heaven, and because they have killed Humbaba who guarded the Cedar Mountain one of the two must die." Then glorious Shamash answered the hero Enlil, "it was by your command they killed the Bull of Heaven, and killed Humbaba, and must Enkidu die although innocent?" Enlil flung round in rage at glorious Shamash, "You dare to say this, you who went about with them every day like one of themselves!"

 

 

 

Source(s)

The Epic of Gilgamesh