The Epic of Gilgamesh

The History Ancient Story Cuneiform Stone Tablets Loosely based on a Historical King A king named “Gilgamesh” ruled Uruk in Mesopotamia around 2750 B.C.E Based on Oral Tradition Collection of pieces into one story attributed to Sin-liqe-unninni, a Babylonian Priest Story Repeated Across Centuries and Cultures Cuneiform Stone Tablets Sumerian, Akkadian, Babylonian Rediscovered in the Nineteenth Century Story Pieced Together From Multiple Sources and Translated into English Some Missing Pieces Stone Tablets Incomplete Translation Uncertain

Key Places Uruk The Steppe Cedar Forest The Netherworld Places on the Journey Tunnel (guarded by two scorpion-men) Waters of Death Utanapishtim’s Island

Key Characters Gilgamesh Enkidu Shamhat Humbaba Gods and goddesses Shamash Ninsun Aruru Ishtar Anu Enlil Siduri Urshanabi Ea Utanapishtim and his wife

Gilgamesh King of Uruk, A Mighty City 2/3 Divine, 1/3 Human Mother is Ninsun (the Wild Cow) Arrogant and Abusive The People of Uruk complain about how he treats them The “birth goddess” Aruru Responds by Creating Enkidu “Equal” to Gilgamesh

Enkidu Created from clay by Aruru A Wild Man Purpose is to “Contend” with Gilgamesh to Bring Peace to Uruk A Wild Man Covered in Hair Raised by Animals in the Wilderness with No Connection to Civilization Contact with Civilization Causes Him to Lose His Wildness Seduced by Shamhat, the Harlot Educated by Shepherds Fights Gilgamesh Become Friends

Key Plots Friendship between Gilgamesh and Enkidu Adventures Civilization vs. Wilderness Adventures Battle with Humbaba Conflict with Ishtar Quest for Immortality Reality of Death The Flood Story Success or failure?

Important Themes Civilization vs. Nature Immortality vs. Mortality Divinity vs. Humanity Friendship Fame Heroism