RT Article
T1 The conceptualisation of morality in ancient religions at the hand of the Gilgamesh Epic
JF Verbum et ecclesia
VO 45
IS 1
SP 1
OP 7
A1 Villiers, Gerda de
LA English
YR 2024
UL https://ixtheo.de/Record/1902754093
AB This article addressed ‘The conceptualisation of morality in ancient religions at the hand of the Gilgamesh Epic’. After pointing out that ancient languages do not have words for neither morality nor religion, I discussed the following incidents in the Epic: he who saw the Deep; the immoral conduct of a king; the slaying of Humbaba; Ishtar and a death penalty; and a visit to Utanapishtim, the Distant. I alluded briefly to the way that the Epic ends. The aim was to examine whether ancient societies had a concept of morality and what role, if any, did religion play.   Intradisciplinary and/or interdisciplinary implications:  The conclusion was that religion played a very minor role, and that morality in ancient societies was a human endeavour.
K1 Epic
K1 Gilgamesh
K1 Ancient
K1 Morality
K1 Religions
DO 10.4102/ve.v45i1.2983