Religion And Western Civilization
Gilgamesh (Bilgames) was a son of Lugalbanda and Ninsun, and Uruk fifth king, whereby he ruled circa in 2700 BC. As noted from Sumerian king list, he was the major character in the “Epic of Gilgamesh”, which was one of the best literature work earlier. The epic hero Gilgamesh is been portrayed in the opening of the poem as portions, man and other part god. Annotated from Tummal Inscription, Gilgamesh and his son (Urlugal) reconstructed the asylum of the goddess, named Ninlil, and it was located in Tummal, which was sacrosanct quarter in her city of Nippur. Moreover, Gilgamesh is also credited in Mesopotamian mythology for been demigod of superhuman power who constructed an immense city wall to protect his people from exterior menaces and passed through to meet Utnapishtim, the sagacious who had endured the Great Deluge (Assyrian International News Agency Books). Nonetheless, the civilizations of the Tigris-Euphrates region, along with the initial civilizations, spotlight moderately on Gilgamesh and the folklore accumulating around him. Gilgamesh was a strong man, characterization of all human virtues, fair judge, a brave warrior, and ambitious builder.
On other hand, Osiris (Oser, Asar, Aser, Usire) was Egyptian god, normally known as the god of the underworld, afterlife or dead. Moreover, he was broadly worshiped up to the containment of the Egyptian religion in Christian epoch and his cult center was Abydos. Osiris wasn’t only been considered as a compassionate arbitrator of the deceased in the afterlife, but also the underworld bureau that give assurance to all life, including the fertile flooding of the Nile River and sprouting vegetation. Osiris was illustrated as the “Lord of Silence” and “Lord of Love”, “He who is Enduringly Benevolent and Youthful”. Also, all the kings of Egypt were been linked with Osiris in death.
Moreover, Osiris was been painstaking as the oldest lad of earth god Geb, and the goddess sky, a brother and husband of Isis, and Horus being painstaking as his posthumously begotten lad. Later, Osiris was linked with the name Khentic-Amentiu that signifies “Foremost of the Westerners”. Due to optimistic of a new life after death Osiris instigated to be linked with the cycles scrutinized in scenery, in fastidious annual flooding of the Nile and vegetation, throughout his associate with Sirius and Orion at the launch of a new year.
When comes to Job, he was a blessed man who lives virtuously. However, Satan challenges Job’s uprightness when he was ill. He told Job to say that, he only serves Yahweh (God) simply because of “hedge”, but God removes protections to him through; allowing Satan to take his children, wealth, and his physical health, in addition Satan went ahead with his temptation by asking Job to curse God. But, Job stand upright with his righteousness, and he didn’t curse God nor made any accusation. However, God ask Job to “Prop yourself like a man; I will query you, and you shall reply me.” Following God’s feedback, Job is besieged and states, “I’m undeserving, how can I reply to you? I set my hand over my chops.” Later, the Lord blessed Job with double price; his livestock’s increased twice, children came again, and his years increased up to 140 years.
Similarities
The major similarity from the above three characters (Gilgamesh, Osiris and Job) is religious. Gilgamesh reconstructed the asylum of the goddess; this means that he had faith on religious. On other hand, Osiris the goddess sky, and people went there to worship. Lastly but not the least, Job had a strong faith on religious, and he kept his religious believes on Yahweh (God), even after going through several temptation from Satan, he didn’t sail with the same boat with Satan, rather he remained upright, and finally god blessed him. From above, we can see that, the three characters had a strong faith, and this is another factor that linked them.
Another similarity is optimism, Gilgamesh was an optimistic man, as noted from his first dream, he said that, “Mother, last night I had a reverie. Was full of joy, the immature heroes surrounded me and walked the night beneath the stars of the firmament,” this means that, he was much optimistic in his life. On Osiris, people came to worship there, and they were much optimistic because they believe it give assurance to all life. Job, ironically, new it was a temptation, but he didn’t new that, all he had is faith: he was optimistic with the lord he worshiped, and that’s why he didn’t became pessimistic after Satan temptation.
Differences
Even though the above three characters reads from the same script, they have some dissimilarities: Gilgamesh was a king, whereas the Osiris was a tree for worship (Egyptian god) and Job was a servant of God.
It’s true to say that, the above three characters have played a big role in western civilization. Religious have brought people together and make them work hand in hand, which led to economic development. Working towards certain achievements have also, contributed to western development, the three characters were hopeful. This is a great inspiration toward western civilization and I can conclude that, these are great heroes of inspiration.
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