The Epic of Gilgamesh
Through the help Gilagameshs mother, Ninsun, they won the fight but incited the anger of his protector who is Enlil. Rage of the Enlil was done through the death of Enkidu. Enkidus death pushed Gilgamesh to search for immortality. Brought about by the fear of death, he searched every corner of the earth, but at the end, he still found out that the limit of life ends in death.
The story is a classic form of literature in its portrayal of a legendary hero king and his way to defeat death. This a work of ancient masterpiece talking about gods, deaths, dreams, and immortality. It could be concluded that is the origin of present literary themes. It tackles about legendary heroes who their power has become their weakness which resulted to their arrogance. It also discusses friendships and the search for never-ending life.
It is so captivating that it was able to portray and combine different aspect in the story talking about gods, friendships, and immortality. The tragic death in the story made it more emotionally appealing to the readers. Though the story talks about mythical characters, it emphasizes the reality that the limit of life ends with death- that life comes to an end. Also, the story has meet his goal in realizing the reality that even worst things could be changed through the power of friendships. This is a story of a transition of a man caused by the influence of friendship, but the real lesson is that everything comes to an end and even life. What we all have to do is treasure life and do the most out of it.
The Legend of Sargon
Sargon, was an Akkadian true king known for his invasion of the Sumerian city, and was also the founder of Akkad Dynasty. Story of Sargon lies within the story of the Sargon Legend, a story that started in a dream.
Sargon came to the palace when Ur-Zababa is currently sleeping and dreaming, to bring the deliveries. When ur-Zababa woke up, he realized his dream but didnt mention any of it. Suddenly, without any reasons, Ur-Zababa appointed Sargon to become his cupbearer. After several days, Ur-Zababa was alarmed when there are sudden negative changes with his self like urinating with blood.
That was the time when Sargon dreamed of Ur-Zababa being drowned by Inana. With this, Ur-Zababa ordered Beli-tikal to kill Sargon so that Inana would change her will. On Sargons way to Beli-tikal, he was stopped by Inana and was warned to be murdered. Sargon returned to the palace and his appearance made Ur-Zababa frightened. Therefore, Ur-Zababa decided to send Sargon to HYPERLINK httpen.wikipedia.orgwikiLugal-zage-si o Lugal-zage-si Lugal-zage-si with the clay tablet indicating to murder Sargon. The story partly ended here. Sargon is the son of Ur-Zababa, who was a gardener before and became the king of Akkad. There are issues that Sargon was the one to built Babylon.
The story basically deals how his father refused to face his own death while sacrificing his son, thinking that Inana might change his will. The dream of Sargon was meant to inform him of the coming tragedy that would be caused by Ur-Zababa. Inanas desire to kill Ur-Zababa still remains a question, but what is clear is that, Ur-Zababa appointed Sargon to be the cupbearer so that Sargon will be the one to received Ur-Zababas fate.
Treaty between Abban and Yarimlim
A chapter from the Book of Joshua, Treaty between Abban and Yarimlim, could be considered as one of the best stories from the bible. The book lifts message to its readers. The book says that up to now, The Isrelites take it easy, such that, Jericho fell down, while Ai is not an important town and that the Gibeonites had loose without even fighting. But this instances caused to lock the territory in the core of Canaan and the rest of the cities are situated in a dangerous environment and were separated. Full of anger with the Gibeonites, Egyptian claimed back cities and based is around Jerusalem and this time, Israelites are serious and decided to fight. Together with Joshua, since he has responsibilities to the Gibeonites, together, they walked from Gilgal with his army to fight. The rest of the story is surely well known by the readers. The Lord has obviously favored the Israelites during that time, such that giving the Amorites over to Israel. All of Joshuas efforts has been ineffective because the Lord has favored the Israelites.
The treaty, as related to the story is another chapter in the book that tackles agreements that would be treasured and stood by the makers until the end. The treaty also discusses histories that have happened before, during the classical times. These treaties were usually made to prevent traitors and to assure the loyalty of cities or territories with each other. This is usually done by kings and the vassal prince.
During ancient times, treaties like this are honored and takes pride to the initiators. This concept maintains peace in a particular territory or boundary, for they have the agreement to stand for.
Treaty between Mursilis and Duppi-Tessub of Amurru
Words in the story were delivered by Sun Murilis who was the king of Hatti. Treaty discusses the loyalty made by the grandfather of Duppi-Tessub and then was forwarded to him.
Aziras was Duppi-Tessubs grandfather who initiated the treaty with the Mursilis. It started when Aziras rose up against the father of Sun Mursilis but later brought back his loyalty. After that, the kings of Nuhassi and Kinza dissenter against his father but Aziras remained loyal, for he holds the treaty. Aziras remained in the side of Mursilis father, hence, they both fought their enemies. Mursilis father did the same thing to Aziras he remained loyal to Aziras and to his country. He did not make any steps and actions that would provoke each ones anger. The same thing when Mursilis father became god, Aziras stay as he was before.
The same thing was proven when Sun Mursilis father became the god, while Mursilis seats next to his father. Even those times, Aziras did not even changed in any manner. The revolt of the kings of Nuhassi and Kinza again turned against Mursilis, Aziras, DU-Tessubs grandfather, and his father, remained their loyalty to Mursilis father. When the two (Aziras and Du-Tessubs father) could not fight anymore because of their age, Du-tessub did the same thing with his father and grandfather he fought together with Mursilis side.
The Treaty between Mursilis and Duppi-Tessub of Amurru basically discusses the loyalty of Du-Tessubs blood line. From the his father up to him, have been loyal to the line of Sun Mursilis because of the treaty that they will remain loyal to each other, and will also fight for each other. Though complicated because of the detailed history, the story just simply shows the identity of each characters that portrays the essence of a treaty. This treaty was treasured and respected eve until the generation of Du-Tessub.
Treaty between Ashurninari V of Assyria and Matiilu of Arpad
Treaty between Ashurninari V of Assyria and Matiilu of Arpad came form the Near Eastern old Testament. This has two parts mainly an event and the actual application of this event, like for example when it said that arpad shall be burned. During Near Eastern times, as indicated in the texts, there are treaties that were performed in rituals. Curses are part of the the Near Eastern tradition.
The author discusses the curses given by gods like one having contaminated water, or one be filled sorrows. These simple curses by gods indicate the power of gods during those times, once one breaks it, would cause more pain. Related to this, in the classical Near Eastern texts, curses where written in the form of treaties, like the Treaty between Ashurninari V of Assyria and Matiilu of Arpad. These treaties were usually agreed upon the consent of the kings and the neighboring prince. This treaty could be simply analyze like the other treaties by looking their similarities.
In the Old Testament, curses discussed appear as religious agreements in Yahweh and Israel and the prophecies.
As a whole these treaties like of Ashurninari V and Matiilus are simply mere descriptions of historical accounts during the era of gods and kings. Its similarity with the other treaties is that once it a treaty, the characters during those times stands for what does the treaty indicates. They remain loyal to the treaty, like obeying of what is written. This treaty is made by Ashurninari and Matiilu, who both agreed upon it.
The Story of Sinuhe
Set at the time of the death of king Amenemhat, on 1908 BC, was admired in prehistoric Egypt for about 750 years. Sinuhe is a royal noble who is on voyage in Libya to the west, when he heard of the kings untimely failure. He was alarmed that he ran for his sake, only too realized that he could be crushed in the military exercises of the power of the politics that has to come. He went north in the area of Lebanon and Southern Syria to be part of the world of the Sand-farers.
He was shocked by the culture for his life before used to be good provided with the most elegant thing that time. But the situation didnt push him down. Being an educated Egyptian, the condition resulted well for him instead. He established his name in the land for raising a family ad fighting like a real hero and succeeded. But of course, he still misses his way back home. He polishes romantic I n praise of his motherland. His heart and mind wants to die in Egypt. The king amiably granted his wish to favor in Egypt.
The story is structurally same in the story of the Old man and the Sea, that is short and dense with a male character as the hero, where the story focuses. The natural emotional plot and shape of the story, and the core of its plot, whish is Sinuhes adventure, are obviously appealing to the early teller. The very admiring personality of Sinuhe made it more interesting, as well his adventurous life. As a whole, the story is more of the creation of a hero, that gives hope to the reader, that there exists a man that could be on his own even he is thousand miles away form his home a man that can stand even in the most difficult part of his life. This story is an inspiring tale of hope and chance.
The Story of Two Brothers
The Story of two Brothers is an early Egyptian story. This is a story of the lives of two brothers who were tested upon many circumstances. Bata lives with his brother together with his wife (Anpus). In return, Bata worked hard for his brother in the farm doing tasks assigned by his brother. The first test of their relationship happened when Bata was asked by Anpus wife to make love with her but refused to. This provoked the anger of Anpuss wife and resulted into reversing the story. Anpu was told by his wife that Bata tried to make love with her so that Anpu should kill him. Bata escaped through the help of God Ra and was spared out of danger. Ra was known for delivering the wicked to the just, and Anpu believed him. This caused so much pain to Anpu, so he promised himself that he would do anything to obey Batas wish that when the beer becomes sour, it means that Batas life is in danger and that Anpu should search for Batas heart and put in a bowl of water so that Bata will come back to life again. Anpu killed her wife when he returned home. Bata came to the valley and was given a wife by the Gods. His wife is so wonderful that even the Gods who created her adored her. By By some circumstances, the king wanted to marry Batas wife which he have successfully done. Batas wife brought him to an end when he said to the king that his life lies in the cedar tree and it has to be cut. It was that time that Anpus beer tasted sour, so he knew that Batas life is in danger, so he went to find his heart. Three years passed before he found it, and upon following Batas instructions, he put Bata into life again. The queen have always wanted to kill him but he always find the way to come back into life, until the death of his wife, who happened to be his mother in the end. Anpu and Bata lived together and ruled Egypt for thirty years. This story is a symbol of how two brothers stick with each other no matter what are the trials that comes between them. This ancient story has successfully emotionally captivated the readers sympathy.
The Journey of Wen-Amon to Phoenecia
The story is set in the Year 5, technically known as the fifth year of Renaissance of Pharaoh Ramesses XI, who was the last ruler of Twentieth Dynasty of Ancient Egypt. The main character of the story is Wen-Amon whos a priest of Amun, and is asked by the high priest of Amun to get logs that will be use to build a ship to be use in moving the image of Amun. He was robbed during his way to Babylos, and we reached his destination, he was shocked by the unfriendly trearment he received. The local king, Zakar-Baal, refused to give the goods for free. But to give the payment, he has to call to Smendes, but it is not an appropriate move because it implies weakness of Egyptian over them. After a year of waiting, he decided and attempted to leave the place and was almost killed, so he was putted under the protection of the Queen.
The story of Wen-Amon briefly describes the actual settings and reality of the ancient times. This was written not just to describe the expedition but rather to show the facts of the pre-classical times.
The Journey of Wen-Amon to Phoenecia compared t The War Against the Peoples of the Sea were both written in the period of Rameses III. There could be possible basis for the author of the book to inflate the dignity of Egypt, for the last purpose of the last article was to review the reign of pharaoh, and also to declare the list of the achievements of Egypt, and so that all could see it.
Because the story is basically based on the history, it is very useful specifically in studying the late New Kingdom and early Third Intermediate Period. Historians often treat the text as their basic source of the late 20th Dynasty.
The Amarna Letters
Tel El Amarna is the contemporary name of the location of Nile, as the capital of Egypt stood before. In ancient times, Egypt was once ruled by Paharaoh Amenhotep IV, which means that Amon is satisfied. The new capital city, in Akhetaton, was shortly neglected by Tutankhamen as Egypt returned with their old accepted view. The new capital city was never occupied again, and by chance, they found administrative papers they used to call the Amarna tablets. As told, these are the form of communication from Asiatic kings to Egypt.
The letters are significantly useful to historians for studying Canaan in the Israels invasion period. It contain request for help from the Canaanite kings with regards to the mystifying people whom are the Hebrews.
Form the authors work there are also biblical passages that could be connected by the readers. It also provided some uncommon sight of Egypt in their relations to their associates and opponents. Besides of the fact these letters are informative, but also amusing as it mentions kings squabbling over gifts for wives.
Like other ancient stories, the Amarna letters provides actual historical accounts that are useful to historians. These are actual description of the classical times in Egypt and some important facts that happened. Though not actually exact, but these also gave us the hints how historical is Egypt. From the letters, it also contributed some biblical accounts that till now were questioned for some. The Amarna letters are full of mystic things that happened in the classical time of Egypt. The author has successfully reached it goal in captivating the readers attention that is important in studying Egypt.
The Tale of Aqhat
The book Ancient Canaan, where the tale of Aqhat was mentioned, is basically under the category of history of religion. It is the history of Ugarit, the early Canaanite port that grew during 2000 to 1200 BC. Ugaritic literature was forgotten until the twentieth century because of its character of being repetitious and simple.
The tale of Aqhat, as a story being part of the book, is well fragmented. Most of the original content are saved like the significant identity of Kothar-wa-Hasis which means skillful-and-wise and that is equivalent to Greek Haphaistos that means one who made miraculous weapons.
One of the most important and well mentioned in the book, are those who recognize Abrahams camel to be old fashioned could be find that Baal talked about it twice. First of it, is the beast of burden and secondly, the bad-tempered beast.
Tale of Aqhat mentions gods, as well as the character of Rapha-man and his wife and Danatiya. Their scenes are noticeable, because this declares something that is an issue even in the contemporary world. It could be root out and concluded that gender inequality originated in the contest of how women were treated those times. In the case of Rapha-man wife, Danatiya, it showed how Danatiya served hi husband. She played as the servant of Rapha-man, even technically, the wife of Rapha-man. This was mentioned when Rapha-man called Danatiya to serve food, drinks to the godhead, and even literally said to serve and honor them.
Apparently, gender inequality in the present time originated in such cases. Even before, women are the subject of unjust situations. The story, The Tale of Aqhat, is important in realizing the role of women towards the society, hence, needed to be analyzed.
Archaeology and the Old Testaments, From Paradise to Promised Land, Kingdom Prologue, and Rethinking Genesis
In this well-demonstrated text, the author, Alfred Hoerth, completely studies the Old Testament relating to archaeological resources and clearly explaining its relevance in biblical studies. He talks about the strengths, as well as the limits of archaeology in describing the accounts and settings in the bible. Hoerth has skillfully presented aspects of biblical archaeology. The book gives relevant information in classical necessary documents needed in the context of biblical world. The book is a good source of proofs in the existence of chapters in the bible based on archaeological accounts.
Rethinking Genesis on the others side, is based on the Genesis 4. Adam was favored by his father, Cyrus, over his brother, Charles. Therefore, in the same way, Adam favors Aron over Cal. Charles and Cal experienced to be rejected from both of their fathers. Aron wanted to be a priest, while Cal became a simple farmer. The book gave a mythic view of a fictional, as well as majestic feel of fairytale.
The authors study of the Genesis lies first in the identification and distinction involving Samuel, Hamilton and Cyrus. Samuel is wise and moral while in opposite, Cyrus was the one who discarded his wife, who happens to be pregnant, came back with gonorrhea, and always lies about his experiences, left his son with inheritance of money. Adam and Charles presented Cyrus a knife and a puppy as gifts. But, Cyrus chose the puppy over the knife without single valid reason, which is the start of jealousy and competition. Later, Adam accepted Arons will but still rejected Cals offer form farming the beans.
Basically, the story has some touch of the authors background and environment.
Kingdom prologue, on the other hand, explores the true meaning of religion and tackles accounts of the Genesis. Kline, the author, has specifically detailed every part of the Genesis. He helped the readers to view the Genesis deeper and look within it, together with the time when Mosses writes the Genesis. It should be remembered that Bible was not meant to argue with any concept such as Evolution, but instead, Kline helped to give the complete understanding in the Genesis through the ways that Mosses want it to be understood, together with the present generations of the Jews who still grip their trust and faith in God, following the path to Jesus Christ. This book of Kline is a well versed text talking about Genesis.
The author in From Paradise to Promised Land discusses chapters about the revelations of Yahweh in Exodus, the Passover, the agreement at Sinai, tabernacle, the concept of holiness and devotion, about love and fidelity, and the election at Israel. The book has provided introductory chapters about the major theological themes of the Pentateuch. The author is also aware in both Genesis 156 and the NT explanations of Abraham where he stresses his faith.
Some weaknesses somehow may be find in the book like that of the shallow treatment in the NT Connections which was not clearly mentioned. Such weaknesses are improved through the means of available information in Pentateuch.
Alexander, clearly recognizes Pentateuch that is more leaning towards the future.
Categories:
0 comments:
Post a Comment