The Crown of Creation and Wild Flowers (With Special Regard to Czech Literary and Professional Texts)

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Authors: Eva Vymetalova Hrabakova
Cited by: 0

Abstract

Humans, as the pinnacle of creation, strive to understand the meaning of their existence while confronting decay and ultimately accepting death. The idea of eternal existence, or immortality, appears frequently in ancient texts. This article examines four works from the ancient Near East: the Babylonian Epic of Gilgamesh, the Ugaritic Epic of Aqhat, and the biblical Psalms 8 and 103. It will explore the possibility of human immortality and consider whether such a state can be achieved. These works remain central in the cultural memory of those familiar with the written tradition. How can we interpret these ancient texts in light of our current knowledge? Although paradoxically subject to decay, the characters of Gilgamesh, Aqhat, and the psalmist continue to inspire reflection on the concept of eternity. They serve as fundamental elements of our civilised self-awareness.

Fields of Study & Subjects

Biblical Studies and Interpretation Ancient Near East History Classical Studies and Philology

Publication details

Journal / source
COMMUNIO VIATORUM
Volume
67
Issue
2
Pages
184–204
Publication date
15 January 2026
Language
EN