Throughout history there have been many written works and documents that have shed light on the various ideas and values that characterize the Western tradition. Such works focused on the great ideas that have helped in shaping the Western heritage. Some of these documents that "capture the characteristic outlook of an age and that provide a sense of movement and development of Western history" include The Epic of Gilgamesh, The Code of Hammurabi, Genesis, Job, the Ten Commandments, and Amos.
The Epic of Gilgamesh, often referred to as "the greatest work of Mesopotamian literature" was written on or around 2000 B.C. It is the story of Gilgamesh, a historical figure who was half man and half god and his quest for immortality. …
