The Epic of Gilgamesh The oldest story ever recorded

A Great but Terrible King Gilgamesh was the King of Uruk His city-state was wealthy and powerful He wanted to show off his power His people suffered under his leadership

The Walls of Uruk Gilgamesh ordered the walls of Uruk to reach the sky It was a great symbol of power, but a waste of valuable resources

The People of Uruk Ask for Help Gilgamesh’s people were forced to work on walls Other jobs were left undone, city was in danger The elders prayed to the gods for help

Gilgamesh and the Gods Gilgamesh was a favorite of the gods, and they gave him his great strength and power However, they also appreciated the loyalty and faith of the people of Uruk

Enkidu The gods did not want to punish Gilgamesh directly so they created a monster to kill him Enkidu was part man, part animal and sent to the forests outside of the city

Enkidu Enkidu was spotted by hunters Villagers refused to go into the woods They appealed to King Gilgamesh for help Gilgamesh ordered them back to work on the walls!

If you want it done right, send a woman! The hunters refused to enter the forest The hunters refused to enter the forest One woman offered to go and find the monster One woman offered to go and find the monster The men were too scared to help her The men were too scared to help her

Enkidu Enkidu was a wild animal He loved and protected some of the animals He feared humans who were strange creatures compared to the animals of the forest

Enkidu Enkidu was afraid of the woman, but found her beautiful Enkidu was afraid of the woman, but found her beautiful A lion attacked the woman A lion attacked the woman Enkidu protected her as he protected others Enkidu protected her as he protected others

The Woman “Tames” Enkidu The woman teaches Enkidu to speak, dress, and act like a man She leads him out of the forest and into a village outside of Uruk There, Enkidu learns of Gilgamesh

The Battle The Battle King Gilgamesh and Enkidu meet They fight a terrible battle Neither man has the advantage and the battle continues until both men exhaust themselves

Gilgamesh and Enkidu The exhausted men can not continue to fight The exhausted men can not continue to fight They immediately develop a great respect and love for each other They immediately develop a great respect and love for each other The two become “brothers” The two become “brothers”

A New Start Enkidu sees the good in Gilgamesh and wants others to see it too Enkidu sees the good in Gilgamesh and wants others to see it too Gilgamesh decides to prove his greatness by ridding the world of evil Gilgamesh decides to prove his greatness by ridding the world of evil

Humbaba Gilgamesh travels to the Cedar Forest Enkidu tries to convince Gilgamesh not to attack Humbaba Gilgamesh insists, and Enkidu is forced to help his friend

Humbaba of the Cedar Forest

Ishtar The gods were angered by Humbaba’s death His heroism attracted the attention of Ishtar She appeared to him and asked him to marry her

Ishtar’s Wrath Ishtar begged her father Anu to give her the Bull of Heaven to punish Gilgamesh The Bull ravaged the city and its inhabitants

More Teamwork! Gilgamesh and Enkidu defend their city People of Uruk watch on Another fierce battle Anoter victory for the dynamic duo Another insult

Ishtar’s Revenge Enkidu gets very sick Enkidu gets very sick Slowly, the life drains out of him Slowly, the life drains out of him Enkidu dies with Gilgamesh at his side Enkidu dies with Gilgamesh at his side

Gilgamesh Goes Crazy Gilgamesh is devastated He does not know or understand death He seeks out an ancient ancestor who did not die

The Terrible Journey Gilgamesh traveled across the entire known world Through the Mountains of Mashu, guarded by the Scorpion Men Entered the Garden of Shamash the sun Despite pleas even from the gods, Gilgamesh continued on

Utnapishtim Across the bitter river lived a man who did not die A long time ago he was chosen by the gods He built a ship and saved a pair of all living things The gods then destroyed the earth and started again

Utnapishtim Gilgamesh was told his travels were useless Gilgamesh was told his travels were useless The gods gave Utnapishtim life, not his own deeds The gods gave Utnapishtim life, not his own deeds Gilgamesh is sent away, back the way he came Gilgamesh is sent away, back the way he came Out of pity, Utnapishtim told him of the Rose Out of pity, Utnapishtim told him of the Rose

Back Home Gilgamesh returned home empty handed He marveled at the waste that he created He vowed to be a great leader Died a mortal’s death, beside his friend