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Test yourself! Take this The Epic of Gilgamesh Quiz | Literature Before 1900

The World's oldest piece of literature.

A multiple-choice quiz by wdstk. Estimated time: 3 mins.

Author
wdstk

Time
3 mins

Type
Multiple Choice

Quiz #
284,658

Updated
Dec 03 21

# Qns
10

Difficulty
Average

Avg Score
7 / 10

Plays
533

One at a Time - Single Page - Timed Game

Question 1 of 10

1. Who was Gilgamesh? Hint

A priest

A king of Uruk

A merchant

An animal

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Question 2 of 10

2. Who was Gilgamesh's best buddy? Hint

Assurbanipal

Enkidu

Humbaba

Utnapishtim

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Question 3 of 10

3. What event sends Gilgamesh on a search for immortality? Hint

His friend dies.

Needs more time for construction projects.

Life is so good that he wants to keep on living.

Hasn't slept with every woman in the Kingdom.

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Question 4 of 10

4. Who does Gilgamesh kill? Hint

Ishtar

Enkidu

Humbaba

Shamhat

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Question 5 of 10

5. Why is Gilgamesh a bad king? Hint

Womanizer

Destroys sacred animals and monsters

Harshly oppresses his people

All of these

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Question 6 of 10

6. Does Gilgamesh achieve immortality?

Yes

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Question 7 of 10

7. What part of the story is similar to a story in the Bible's "Genesis"? Hint

Creation

The Expulsion from Eden

The Flood

The Fall of angels

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Question 8 of 10

8. What is the place of the dead like? Hint

Paradise

Purgatory before reincarnation

There is no such place

Wretched place of darkness

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Question 9 of 10

9. The author is Shin-eqi-unninni. Why is this important? Hint

Earliest known author

Another name of Gilgamesh's--it's an autobiography

First female author

Was actually an Egyptian scribe

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Question 10 of 10

10. How many tablets was this epic written on? Hint

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Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. Who was Gilgamesh?

Answer: A king of Uruk

He was the fifth king of Uruk, who was two-thirds god and one-third human.
His mother was the goddess Ninsun and his father was a high priest.

2. Who was Gilgamesh's best buddy?

Answer: Enkidu

He was created by the gods as an answer to the people's prayers for help with Gilgamesh, who wasn't an all around good guy. Enkidu was part human and part animal and almost Gilgamesh's equal.

3. What event sends Gilgamesh on a search for immortality?

Answer: His friend dies.

Gilgamesh and Enkidu killed the Bull of Heaven. As punishment for this act the gods determine who must die. Gilgamesh is part god so they decide on Enkidu who will sicken and die.

4. Who does Gilgamesh kill?

Answer: Humbaba

Gilgamesh wants to perform great deeds so he will be remembered. He goes to cut down the great cedar forest which is guarded by Humbaba. Gilgamesh cuts off his head even though Humbaba begged for mercy.

5. Why is Gilgamesh a bad king?

Answer: All of these

He forces all the people of the town to work for him. He claims the right to have sexual intercourse first with every new bride on her wedding day. He also takes children away from their families.

6. Does Gilgamesh achieve immortality?

Answer: no

Utnapistim gives him a test to achieve it (stay up 6 days/7 nights) and he fails. He takes pity on him and tells him about a sea plant. Gilgamesh doesn't trust it and wants to try it out on an old man first. On the way back to town a snake eats it. This is why a snake sheds its skin, according to mythology.

7. What part of the story is similar to a story in the Bible's "Genesis"?

Answer: The Flood

It was a one-time event. Utnapishtim and his wife survived it, like Noah, in an ark.

8. What is the place of the dead like?

Answer: Wretched place of darkness

Dust is the main dish on the menu. This is the fate for all of mankind. Not something to look forward to or work hard in this life to better.

9. The author is Shin-eqi-unninni. Why is this important?

Answer: Earliest known author

First discovered at Nineveh in the library of King Assurbanipal. The epic is one of the oldest stories. At first it was only known orally and then was written down and copied many times over.

10. How many tablets was this epic written on?

Answer: 12

The tablets were made of clay and written in cuneiform. When fired they became very durable, unlike papyrus and parchment. Many copies still exist since it was one of the standard texts copied in scribe schools.

Source: Author wdstk

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