Foundational Sex
Sex has been a major influence on many aspects of all cultures throughout history. Since it is a bare necessity that has shaped and characterized human lifestyles, there is much to learn from sex about different cultures and their general beliefs. The understanding of sex explains many of the traditions and norms of a society, and can elucidate on specific issues such as gender differences. A major differentiation on how sex is viewed between cultures is on what level sex is actually placed. Is sex just a basic instinct that is performed as a pleasure-satisfying ritual or is sex a godly act that illuminates humans on their path to enlightenment? Two cultures that exemplify these two different views of the importance of sex are the Babylonian and the Greek societies. Although sex is a basic human need for both Babylonians and Greeks, their views differ when it comes to the importance of sex. For the Babylonians, sex was a step toward civilization and self-actualization; on the other hand, for the Greeks sex was an even more basic physiological need that in some ways connects humans with animals.
In the epic of Gilgamesh, sex is viewed as the power of women. Sex was thought as the purpose and task of womankind and it was a form of knowledge that women possessed; it was basically their "art" as mentioned in the epic. For men sex was a stage that must be completed in order for them to be considered part of humankind. It was actually the step that men would have to take to distinguish themselves from animals. In the story, Enkidu is a wild man who roams with the animals and knows no friends except the animals; he is a beast and a savage. He lives like the animals, protects them, and also acquires their strength. When Enkidu is discovered, Gilgamesh sends "a wanton from the temple of love" (Gilgamesh 14) to Enkidu so that her power will overcome him. When the priestess arrives, she is given her orders: "When he comes near uncover yourself and lie...
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