The Epic of Gilgamesh: Introduction to Mythology and Ancient Civilisations

This engaging lesson introduces students to The Epic of Gilgamesh, widely recognised as the world’s oldest surviving literary work. Students explore the historical and cultural context of Ancient Sumeria, learn about the origins of writing through cuneiform, and investigate the characteristics of heroes and epic narratives.

The lesson includes:
• A creative Do Now activity linked to superheroes and heroism
• A mind-map task exploring the qualities of everyday heroes
• Historical context on Ancient Sumeria, Mesopotamia, and cuneiform writing
• Introduction to the concept of an epic hero
• Reading and analysis of Tablet One: The Creation of Gilgamesh
• Retrieval and comprehension questions
• Think-Pair-Share discussion activities
• Higher-order challenge questions focusing on themes and relevance
• Plenary discussion to encourage interpretation and critical thinking

Suitable for KS3 English, Literature, Mythology, Ancient Civilisations, or Humanities lessons. The lesson develops reading comprehension, discussion skills, contextual understanding, and analytical thinking while introducing students to one of the most influential texts in world literature.