The Epic of Gilgamesh

Prologue Gilgamesh is king of Uruk. He was created by the gods with a perfect body; two thirds god and one third man. Gilgamesh was responsible was responsible for building the walls of Uruk, as well as building Eanna the temples for Anu, and Ishtar.

The Coming of Enkidu Gilgamesh is an arrogant man who fails to “shepherd” the city in wisdom. The people cry to the gods and complain Aruru, the goddess of creation, created Enkidu out of the ground of the firmament. Enkidu is a wild man who runs with animals and eats grass. A trapper sees Enkidu and is frightened by him. His father tells him to talk to Gilgamesh about what to do.

Gilgamesh tells the hunter to employ a woman to befriend Enkidu, thereby breaking his friendship with the animals. Enkidu sees the woman and falls in love with her beauty. After a week of spending time with the woman, the animals become afraid of Enkidu. Enkidu became lonely, and the woman told him to go to Uruk with her to meet Gilgamesh. Gilgamesh has two dreams that foretell of Enkidu’s arrival in Uruk.

It is reported to Enkidu that Gilgamesh is behaving dishonorably It is reported to Enkidu that Gilgamesh is behaving dishonorably. Enkidu takes upon himself the obligation of challenging the king of Uruk. The people welcome Enkidu into Uruk as an equal to Gilgamesh. Gilgamesh and Enkidu get in a fight in which Gilgamesh wins. Consequently, Gilgamesh and Enkidu become friends.

The Forest Journey Gilgamesh has a dream that tells him everlasting life is not his destiny, but being a great king is. Yet, he hasn’t done anything to merit memory. Gilgamesh is determined to set out to the Cedar Forests and kill Humbaba; the forest’s guardian. Gilgamesh prays and offers sacrifices as a way of imploring Shamash to protect him along his journey.

Shamash accepts Gilgamesh’s sacrifices and sends great winds to protect him. Gilgamesh gets his armor made and the people try one last time to convince him to not go on this journey. Gilgamesh pleads with Ninsun to intercede and pray for him until he returns safely. Gilgamesh and Enkidu set out and reach the gates of the forests. Enkidu tries one last time to convince Gilgamesh to not go in, but Gilgamesh pushes forward with Enkidu at his side.

Gilgamesh has a series of dreams in which it is revealed that Shamash will rescue he and Enkidu in their fight with Humbaba. Gilgamesh cuts down one tree which makes Humbaba appear. Gilgamesh prays to Shamash for protection and endurance. Enkidu and Gilgamesh reach the lair of Humbaba and commence in fighting him there. Shamash sends the great winds to bind Humbaba; Humbaba pleads with Gilgamesh. Enkidu advises Gilgamesh to kill Humbaba; he does.

They clear the forests and present Humbaba to Enlil. Enlil takes the seven terrors of Humbaba and spreads them throughout the world. Final praises are given to Gilgamesh for his accomplishments.

Ishtar, and Gilgamesh, and the Death of Enkidu Gilgamesh gets cleaned up and Ishtar sees him and wants him to marry her, and wants his “seed.” After Ishtar makes a number of promises to Gilgamesh, he rejects her proposal and reminds her of all of her former lovers who are no longer her lovers and are worse off for ever having loved her. Ishtar returns to high heaven and asks Anu, father of the gods, to give her the Bull of Heaven to destroy Gilgamesh.

Ishtar threatens to break open the gates of hell if she is not given the Bull of Heaven. Anu relents and the Bull of Heaven is released. Enkidu seizes the Bull of Heaven and Gilgamesh kills it. Ishtar seizes Uruk and Enkidu insults her. Enkidu has a dream in which the gods held counsel and it was determined that either Enkidu or Gilgamesh must die. Enkidu becomes sick and curses the trapper who led the woman to entice him. Shamash, the sun god, asks why Enkidu curses the trapper and the woman.

Shamash convinces Enkidu that he will receive glory in death. Enkidu revokes his curses of the woman and pours out blessings instead. Enkidu has a dream of life after death; he is terrified. Gilgamesh laments bitterly. Enkidu is sick for a total of twelve days before he dies. Gilgamesh weeps, becomes violent, and laments the death of Enkidu. A statue of Enkidu is constructed at Gilgamesh’s command.

The Search for Everlasting Life Gilgamesh grieves for the loss of Enkidu. He decides to travel to the ends of the earth to find a way to avoid death. He travels to Mashu, the great mountains, where Scorpion guards – half man and half dragon – let him pass through. Gilgamesh travels twelve leagues through darkness to where the light rises.

Gilgamesh comes to the “garden of the gods” in which the trees bear fruit of precious gems. Here he meets Shamash, god of the sun. Gilgamesh presses onward to meet Siduri, the wine maker of the gods, who tells him to enjoy the life he has while he still has it. Essentially, to, “eat, drink, be merry, and enjoy the wife of his youth.” Gilgamesh ignores her admonition and finds out how to get to Utnapishtim, the only man who survived the flood. Gilgamesh learns that Urshanabi, a ferryman, is the only way to reach Utnapishtim.

Urshanabi tells Gilgamesh that he would take him had Gilgamesh not destroyed the only way that preserved his life. Gilgamesh and Urshanabi find a way across the sea safely. Utnapishtim and Gilgamesh meet. Utnapishtim tells Gilgamesh, “There is no permanence,” and that Anunnaki, the judges, and Mammetun, the mother of destinies, “decree the fates of men. Life and death they allot but the day of death they do not disclose.” Gilgamesh wants to know how Utnapishtim gets to live forever, and Utnapishtim tells him, “I will reveal to you a mystery, I will tell you a secret of the gods.”

The Story of the Flood The city of Shurrupak became so busy and men thrived so much that their babel disturbed the gods’ sleep. Enlil convinced the other gods – Anu, Ninurta, Ennugi, and Ea – to destroy mankind. Ea, however, warned Utnapishtim in a dream of the coming flood. Ea commanded him to build a boat of certain proportions and to gather some of all living creatures. At the appointed time, the gods created a storm and deluge that killed all men.

The flood was so great that the gods themselves were “terrified at the flood, they flood to the highest heaven…crouched against the walls, cowering like curs.” Ishtar feels remorse for convincing the gods to destroy humanity. The gods “of heaven and hell wept, they covered their mouths.” It rained for six days, and was calmed on the seventh day. Utnapishtim releases various birds to find land; a raven is released and doesn’t return. A great sacrifice is given and it is pleasing to the gods.

The gods meet and argue about what to do with Utnapishtim and his wife. They decide to make Utnapishtim and his wife to live forever.

The Return Utnapishtim tells Gilgamesh that the gods will not grant him eternal life. He, however, challenges Gilgamesh to stay awake for six days and seven nights. Gilgamesh is unable to stay awake and sleeps for six days and seven nights. Consequently, Gilgamesh is sent home after removing the signs of mourning and grief. Urshanabi is banished from returning across the sea once he and Gilgamesh are sent away.

Utnapishtim tells Gilgamesh about a secret plant that lies at the bottom of the sea. This plant restores strength to men worn, old men. Gilgamesh retrieves this plant, though he pricks his hand. Along the return journey, a serpent smells the flower and takes it from Gilgamesh. After three days of travel, Gilgamesh arrives back at Uruk. He records the story of the flood and his journey on stone.

The Death of Gilgamesh It is revealed to Gilgamesh that his destiny was not to attain everlasting life, but to be king and to have a legacy that endures. Gilgamesh is warned to “not abuse power” and to “deal justly.” The people of Uruk lament his death.