How the Past Touches Today

            Even when cultures are separated by thousands of years, human nature at its core changes very little. What researchers have uncovered from the texts of the ancient Near East are stories that pertain to this human nature. Movies and books today tell much of the same stories of conflict, heroes, journeys, and the purpose of existence. Though the texts from the ancient Near East were written thousands of years ago, they still reflect much of what we can relate to today.

            The Epic of Gilgamesh, for example, speaks of two heroic men who journey across the earth in search of fame and glory. This theme can be seen in countless modern movies. Tropic Thunder, The Prestige, and Scott Pilgrim vs. The World are just three modern movies that depict one or more heroes in search of renown, just as in Gilgamesh in the epic. Another topic that plays a large role in both ancient and modern society is the question of the meaning of existence. In early ancient Mesopotamia, one can see this answered in the Epic of Creation and many of the following works, telling readers that the purpose of life is to serve the gods. The Bible later dictates that the purpose of readers’ lives is to serve a single God. This topic of existence and the message of the Bible has carried on through the centuries to modern society. Now, the Bible has helped create Christianity and allow it to grow into one of the world’s largest religions. Lastly, some interesting works of ancient literature deal with societal laws and regulations. These are what eventually evolved into modern society’s laws. Without their creation, modern laws may have not developed as thoroughly as they have to create modern society’s laws.

            Whether it be actions of individuals, questioning the purpose of existence, or setting down laws for nations, ancient Near Eastern and modern societies share many of the same themes through literature and art. Without the influence of past literature, modern culture would neither be as developed nor as diverse as it is today. The ancient Near East has affected us in many ways, probably in more than we can imagine.