54A-Gilgamesh: Did We Just Become Best Friends?
Myths and Legends
00:00
The Role of Sex in Ancient Mesopotamia
In ancient Mesopotamia, sex would have been seen as a way to connect Enkidu to one of the goddesses and thus give him wisdom. These women, prostitutes, or the harlots, would have been viewed as the conduits of divinity. The story calls her a harlot, and contrary to the modern connotation, she's actually a really strong and respected character because of the strong religious role. For six days straight, for the young trapper who just wanted Enkidu out of his land, having that going on for 24 hours a day for six days at his watering hole was just so much worse.
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