In a paper of no more than three to four FULL pages in length (typed, double-spaced, and in 12 point Times New Roman or Arial font ONLY), please address the following topic for your first essay assignment: Although literary sources frequently take liberties with the historical record, they demonstrate the social and cultural expectations of the societies in which they were composed and received. Other scholars have suggested that literary sources such as The Epic of Gilgamesh and The Golden Ass do not effectively display those expectations. What is your position on the debate? Using selections that rely on the original language from BOTH The Epic of Gilgamesh and The Golden Ass to support your argument, explain to what degree you believe these literary sources reflect (or not) the social and cultural expectations of their respective Mesopotamian and Roman societies. When writing your essay, use concise, clear, and professional language. When citing your sources, use the parenthetical citation style [i.e., (Epic of Gilgamesh, 56 or Golden Ass, 77)] and be sure to attach a Works Cited page to the back of your essay. You will be graded on the merits of your argument, how well you defend your thesis using the primary sources, and how clear and cogent are your spelling, grammar, and style. The texts required for this assignment are -The Epic of Gilgamesh (Penguin Classics) A. George 1999 and -The Golden Ass (Translated by Jack Lindsay)

In a paper of no more than three to four FULL pages in length (typed, double-spaced, and in 12 point Times New Roman or Arial font ONLY), please address the following topic for your first essay assignment: Although literary sources frequently take liberties with the historical record, they demonstrate the social and cultural expectations of the societies in which they were composed and received. Other scholars have suggested that literary sources such as The Epic of Gilgamesh and The Golden Ass do not effectively display those expectations. What is your position on the debate? Using selections that rely on the original language from BOTH The Epic of Gilgamesh and The Golden Ass to support your argument, explain to what degree you believe these literary sources reflect (or not) the social and cultural expectations of their respective Mesopotamian and Roman societies. When writing your essay, use concise, clear, and professional language. When citing your sources, use the parenthetical citation style [i.e., (Epic of Gilgamesh, 56 or Golden Ass, 77)] and be sure to attach a Works Cited page to the back of your essay. You will be graded on the merits of your argument, how well you defend your thesis using the primary sources, and how clear and cogent are your spelling, grammar, and style. The texts required for this assignment are -The Epic of Gilgamesh (Penguin Classics) A. George 1999 and -The Golden Ass (Translated by Jack Lindsay)