The Epic of Gilgamesh - Sumerian Mythology

Summary

In ancient Mesopotamia, the demigod King Gilgamesh of Uruk, known for his arrogance and tyranny, is challenged by Enkidu, a wild man created by the gods to rival him. Their epic battle leads to a deep friendship, and together they embark on many adventures, including slaying the demon Humbaba and the Bull of Heaven. However, Enkidu's death from a curse forces Gilgamesh to confront mortality. In his quest for immortality, he learns that only the gods can grant eternal life, and returns to Uruk, accepting that his legacy as a just king is his closest approximation to immortality.

Takeaways

• 🏺 In ancient Mesopotamia, the demigod king Gilgamesh ruled the city of Uruk with arrogance and tyranny.
• 🌳 To challenge Gilgamesh, the goddess Aruru created Enkidu, a wild man-animal hybrid who lived among the beasts.
• 💪 A fierce battle between Gilgamesh and Enkidu led to a mutual respect and the beginning of a deep friendship.
• 🛡️ Together, they embarked on many adventures, including defeating the demon Humbaba and the Bull of Heaven.
• 💔 The death of Enkidu deeply affected Gilgamesh, instilling in him a fear of mortality and a quest for immortality.
• 🌊 Gilgamesh's journey for eternal life led him to cross treacherous waters and seek the immortal Utnapishtim.
• 🌿 He discovered a rejuvenating plant in the sea but lost it to a snake, realizing the futility of his quest.
• 🏛️ Upon returning to Uruk, Gilgamesh appreciated the enduring legacy of his city and the immortality of his deeds as a just king.
• ✍️ The story of Gilgamesh and Enkidu, along with their great adventures, was inscribed on clay tablets to be remembered forever.

Q & A

Who was Gilgamesh and what was his significance?

Gilgamesh was a mighty Sumerian king and a demigod, son of the priest king Lugalbanda and the goddess Ninsun. He was known for his exceptional beauty, strength, and long lifespan. He ruled the great city of Uruk in Mesopotamia and was renowned for building magnificent ziggurat temples and high walls around his city.

What was the nature of Gilgamesh's personality and how did it affect his rule?

Gilgamesh had an arrogant personality and acted as a proud and haughty Tyrant. He abused his authority, demanded to be idolized by the people, and ordered the construction of monuments in his honor. He also seduced any woman who attracted him, even if she was of nobility or married, which led the people of Uruk to despise him.

How did the gods respond to the suffering of the people of Uruk under Gilgamesh's rule?

The powerful Celestial god Anu felt pity for the humans and ordered the goddess Aruru to create a creature to rival Gilgamesh. Aruru fashioned a hybrid being named Enkidu from clay, who was a mixture of man and animal, to challenge Gilgamesh's tyranny.

What was Enkidu's initial life like, and how did he become civilized?

Enkidu lived like an animal in the woods and plains of Sumer, eating grass alongside gazelles and drinking water with lions. He was a protector of wildlife but did not know how to approach human beings. After being seduced by the priestess Shamhat, Enkidu became civilized, learning to wear clothes and eat food like humans.

How did the friendship between Gilgamesh and Enkidu begin, and what changed after their first encounter?

Gilgamesh and Enkidu's friendship began after a fierce fight that lasted for seven days. Despite Gilgamesh initially resorting to violence, neither could defeat the other, and they eventually admired each other's strength. After Gilgamesh knocked Enkidu down, he helped him up, and they embraced, beginning an eternal friendship. This led to Gilgamesh becoming a more just king and stopping his tyrannical behavior.

What was the significance of their journey to the cedar forest and their encounter with Humbaba?

Gilgamesh and Enkidu's journey to the cedar forest to face the demon Humbaba was a quest to immortalize their names. Humbaba was a powerful and dreadful demon whom even the gods respected. After a terrifying encounter, they managed to defeat Humbaba, which was a significant feat, but it also angered the gods and led to further consequences.

Why did Ishtar, the goddess of love, seek revenge on Gilgamesh and Enkidu?

Ishtar sought revenge on Gilgamesh and Enkidu because Gilgamesh rejected her advances, refusing to become her lover. He was aware of the fate of Ishtar's previous lovers, who had met horrible deaths. This rejection and defiance angered Ishtar, leading her to ask her father, the celestial god Anu, to send the bull of Heaven to destroy Uruk and kill Gilgamesh and Enkidu.

What was the outcome of the battle between Gilgamesh, Enkidu, and the bull of Heaven?

Gilgamesh and Enkidu fought the bull of Heaven, a celestial beast sent by the gods to punish them. They used the same weapons they had used against Humbaba and managed to kill the bull. As a sign of contempt, Gilgamesh cut off one of the bull's legs and threw it at Ishtar, further enraging her and the gods.

Why did Enkidu have to die, and how did Gilgamesh react to his death?

The gods decided that Enkidu had to die because he was the one who held the bull of Heaven by the horns, allowing Gilgamesh to deliver the final blow. Enkidu fell gravely ill and eventually died in Gilgamesh's arms. Gilgamesh was devastated by his friend's death, wept bitterly for days, and became fearful of his own mortality.

What was Gilgamesh's quest for immortality, and what did he learn from it?

Gilgamesh's quest for immortality involved traveling far to find Utnapishtem, a man who survived the great flood and was granted immortality by the gods. Although Utnapishtem informed Gilgamesh that only the gods could grant eternal life, Gilgamesh found a rejuvenating plant in the sea. However, a snake stole and consumed the plant, teaching Gilgamesh that no man, no matter how strong or rich, can defeat death. He accepted his mortality and returned to Uruk, focusing on his legacy as a good king.