Exploring Cuneiform: The Origins of Writing in Ancient Mesopotamia

The video explores the history and significance of cuneiform, the world's oldest writing system, developed by the Sumerians in Mesopotamia. It discusses its use in trade, its evolution from pictorial to word concept script, and its role in recording literature and myths, including connections to biblical narratives. The video also highlights famous works like the Epic of Gilgamesh and the Enuma Elish, and provides links to further resources.

Before the discovery of the cuneiform tablets, which book was considered the oldest in the world?

• The Epic of Gilgamesh

• The Bible

• The Enuma Elish

• The Song of Solomon

What is the primary reason cuneiform was developed by the ancient Sumerians?

• To write poetry

• To communicate long distance in trade

• To record religious texts

• To create art

What material did scribes use to write cuneiform?

• Stone

• Clay

• Parchment

• Papyrus

Which of the following civilizations did NOT use cuneiform?

• Sumerians

• Babylonians

• Egyptians

• Assyrians

What is the earliest form of cuneiform known as?

• Pictographs

• Hieroglyphics

• Proto-cuneiform

• Alphabetic script

By 3000 BCE, cuneiform had evolved from a pictorial script to what type of script?

• Alphabetic script

• Numeric script

• Word-concept script

• Hieroglyphic script

Which epic is considered the earliest example of epic poetry written in cuneiform?

• The Enuma Elish

• The Iliad

• The Epic of Gilgamesh

• The Odyssey

The Enuma Elish is a myth explaining the creation of what?

• Humankind

• The earth

• The universe

• The gods

Which concept, appearing in the Christian New Testament, was first expressed in Mesopotamian poetry?

• The creation of the world

• The concept of a dying and reviving god

• The resurrection of the dead

• The fall of man

What was the Song of Solomon believed to be before the discovery of cuneiform tablets?

• The first historical record

• The first religious text

• The world's oldest love poem

• The earliest epic