Comparing Religion In Gilgamesh, Leviticus, And Pliny

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1 Development of Religion in the texts of Gilgamesh, Leviticus, and Pliny In the “Epic of Gilgamesh” we see that the gods have an almost human nature, but decidedly work as more of a spiritual guidance through Gilgamesh, Enkidu and other fellow citizens of ancient Sumer. As we travel on to Israel in the book of Leviticus, YHWH has handed down a code of ethics for all of Israel and strict adherence to the rules is expected. Determining what is clean and unclean, who has priority in civic circles, and what is expected by YHWH couldn’t be any more clear. In “Gilgamesh” we see that there is a polytheistic society (meaning that there is many gods) and each plays a part in the people’s nature and civilization. While back in Israel, it is…show more content…
Pliny writes to Voconius Romanus and describes a beautiful setting at the source of the river Clitumnus. Dotted with Cypress and folded behind rolling hills lies the spring in which the river is sourced. It is here that Pliny finds a spiritual setting and an ancient place of worship and devotion to Clitumnus, a god during antiquity. “Close by is a holy temple of great antiquity in which is a standing image of the god Clitumnus himself.” (Radice, 217) While describing the wonders of the spring, Pliny finds in it the spiritual connections of the setting and truly feels as it must be one of the most natural places of devotion within the region. “All round are a number of small shrines, each containing its god and having its own name and cult, and some of them also their own springs.” (Radice, 217) We see that as far back as the time of the “deified” Emperor Augustus (27 BCE – 14 ACE), the place has held a special meaning, for it was Augustus who was presented the site in his honor by the locals of Hispellum. To trace back the importance of religious locations and structures, we can reference “Gilgamesh” and the temples of Ur and Uruk. It is believed that the recently unearthed temples held great importance in the lives of everyday Sumerians. It was here that priests would climb on-high to present offerings to the gods in the hopes of receiving blessings and to gain favor. In many ways, the polytheistic tendencies of the Romans mirror that of ancient Sumerians. They…show more content…
On a daily basis the characters within these books have shown a devotion and an important, ongoing relationship with those that they feel stand above them. Gilgamesh made a libation to the god Shamash in hopes of a favorable message that would guide him on his journey. Aaron, a priest in Israel, conducted offerings and sacrifices to YHWH as a sign of respect and attempt at atonement for his people’s sins. Pliny, who eventually became a priest himself, did not live his life without showing gratitude to the gods on a daily

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