The Beginnings of Western Literature

1. The Beginnings of Western Literature Early Mesopotamian, Hebrew, Greek, and Roman cultures 2750 b.c.e. (BC) – 476 c.e. (AD)

2. Early Mesopotamia Culture • “Gilgamesh” – Written in approximately 2750 bce • Polytheism • Themes of journey and existentialism • References a great flood that is strikingly similar to the biblical account

3. Hebrew Culture • Old Testament – 1000 bce – 200 ce • Core of literature is religion • Single god provides “the good” and moral role • Stress of individual experience and conscience • Mental image=one man on a mountaintop learning good directly from god

4. Greek Culture • “Greece” begins to be populated in 2000 bce • Homer – 8th century bce • Greek plays – 5th century bce • Macedonia conquers in 338 bce • Roman empire conquers in 146 bce

5. Greek Culture • Religion is not focused on morals or conscience • Polytheistic – gods superior in power, beauty, and immortality, but not ethics • No code of morality • Greek individual looks to self for sense of “the good” • Strong sense of crime, but none of sin • “Know thyself” and “Nothing too much” • Mental image=group of people have a conversation in attempt to attain the truth

6. Roman Culture • Beings in 6th century bce • Original religion-spirits watch out for people, places, and possessions • Rome installed Greek gods as the state religion • Roman Empire falls to Germanic tribes in 476 ce

7. Roman Culture • Horace says it is “sweet and seemly to die for one’s country.” • Subordination of individual to state • Obsession with death • Stoic denial of personal feeling • Discipline, control, obedience, order, organization, law • Mental image=soldier marching in a column behind his commander to triumph or death