History

Culminating
CHW3MU - Mrs. Gluskin

By Kian Malekanian
 Throughout history, literature has been used as a means of liberative expression.

However, this expression has also been used to change, subjugate and assimilate entire

societies, whether knowingly or unintentionally. All around the world, from the cradle of

civilization to the Chinese dynasties of the Orient, societies have witnessed the role of

literature in progressing civilization. Therefore it is evident that literature has been a

catalyst in uniting civilizations as seen through the Mesopotamians, Romans, and Chinese.

Ancient Mesopotamian literature, such as the Epic of Gilgamesh, the Epic of

Creation, as well as the law code of Hammurabi, played a visible role in coalescing

Mesopotamian society. The Mesopotamians use of literature as a mechanism for control,

through propaganda and fables, was especially prevalent in the time of the Sumerians. In

the era of Sumerian prosperity, a famous narrative about an Uruk king, the Epic of

Gilgamesh, portrayed the King as the ultimate and supreme leader. The Epic described

Gilgamesh as divine, asserting that “Two-thirds of him is god, one-third of him is human.”1 In a

society dominated by a fatalistic religion, being regarded as divine gave Gilgamesh an

undeniable authority with which he easily controlled his subordinates. Furthermore, the Epic

painted Gilgamesh as an insurmountable hero, detailing how the King defeated several godly

beasts, such as the Bull of Heaven.2 Therefore, the Epic of Gilgamesh propagated an icon both

feared and praised by his people, which united the Mesopotamians under the rule of this

legendary leader. In the later Babylonian era of prosperity, the law codes of Hammurabi set out a

piece of writing that, more directly than ever before, controlled and brought together

Mesopotamian society. The law code put control over the actions of people, in written word and

1
Maureen Gallery Kovacs, Academy for Ancient Texts, The Epic of Gilgamesh, 1998,
< http://www.ancienttexts.org/library/mesopotamian/gilgamesh/tab1.htm> (September 30 2010)
2
Henrietta McCall, Mesopotamian Myths (Great Britain: The Trustees of the British Museum, 1990), 22
made it official and peremptory. One of the laws used to administrate the society stated, “#110

If a sister of god open a tavern, or enter a tavern to drink, then shall this woman be burned to

death”3 With these written laws, Hammurabi was able to directly control the actions of his

subordinates. The code’s strict penalties also discouraged the violation of the ancient laws, thus

the code established a sense of order and united the society. Through the aid of literature,

Mesopotamian leaders were able to propagate and subjugate their subordinates into a united

society under their rule.

During the Roman’s dominant rule of Mediterranean society, Latin literature

intensified Roman unity as seen through the Georgics, the Aeneid, and Ab Urbe Condita.

The Georgics, written by Virgil directly preceding the reign of Augustus, paid homage to the

traditional values of Italian rural culture.4 Virgil also praises Augustus as the man who will

revive these values.5 The union of Italian culture and the promising Augustus proved itself

evident, as Augustus soon became the Caesar, technically Emperor. A later work of Virgil,

the Aeneid, was an epic in praise of the great power of Rome. Furthermore the epic attested

that Rome was the power which would liberate the brilliance of Italian people. 6 The Aeneid

promptly became accepted as the National epic, and helped bind together the political

centre of Rome with the neighboring rural Italians. Moreover, the epic’s finale is the

implied reign of Caesar Augustus7, which invigorated Italians to unite under Augustus’ new

rule. Another piece of literature written during Augustus’ reign is Ab Urbe Condita or From

the Founding of the City when translated. This 142 book history of Rome, was written by
3
L.W. King, Ancient History Sourcebook, Code of Hammurabi c.1780 BCE, 1998.
< http://www.fordham.edu/halsall/ancient/hamcode.html> (September 30 2010).
4
History World, History of Latin Literature <http://www.historyworld.net/wrldhis/PlainTextHistories.asp?
groupid=2237&HistoryID=aa30&gtrack=pthc> (12 Jan 2011)
5
Ibid.
6
Ibid.
7
Ibid.
Titus Livius under the commission of Caesar Augustus.8 This comprehensive history carved

a true identity for Rome and sparked nationalistic pride. Livius’ masterpiece generated new

patriotism, and united the Roman society as a whole.

8
Crystalinks, Ancient Roman Literature, Poetry, Drama <http://www.crystalinks.com> (12 Jan 2011)