The epic of Gilgamesh, the king who tried to conquer death - Soraya Field Fiorio

Summary

In 1849, archaeologists discovered the ancient Epic of Gilgamesh in Nineveh, Iraq. This 4,000-year-old tale tells of Gilgamesh, a king of Uruk, whose wild ways are tamed by the creation of Enkidu. Together, they embark on heroic quests, including slaying a monster and resisting the goddess Ishtar's advances. After Enkidu's death, Gilgamesh seeks immortality, encountering various challenges and mythical beings. Ultimately, he accepts mortality and vows to leave a legacy, as his story has resonated through literature for millennia.

Takeaways

• 📜 The Epic of Gilgamesh is one of the oldest known stories, inscribed on clay tablets found in the ancient city of Nineveh in Iraq.
• 👑 Gilgamesh, the king of Uruk, was depicted as a tyrant who forced himself on brides before their weddings, prompting the creation of Enkidu.
• 🌿 Enkidu, created by the goddess Aruru, was wild and lived among the chaos beyond the city walls until he was rejected by the animals and entered Uruk.
• ⚔️ Gilgamesh and Enkidu became close friends after a wrestling match where Gilgamesh narrowly won, leading to a change in Gilgamesh's behavior.
• 🌲 Together, they embarked on a quest to defeat Humbaba, a creature guarding the Forest of Cedar, showcasing their strength and bravery.
• 💔 The goddess Ishtar's unrequited love for Gilgamesh led to her unleashing the Bull of Heaven, which resulted in Enkidu's death as a punishment.
• 😢 Gilgamesh's grief over Enkidu's death and fear of his own mortality led him on a journey to find the secret to immortality.
• 🌄 He encountered various challenges and mythical beings, including scorpion people and a goddess named Shiduri, who advised him to accept mortality.
• 🌊 Gilgamesh met Utanapishti, who survived a great flood and was granted immortality, but even he could not offer Gilgamesh eternal life.
• 🌿 Despite failing to achieve immortality, Gilgamesh found solace in the pursuit of great deeds, leaving a legacy for future generations through his story.
• 🏺 The story of Gilgamesh, though mythical, is believed to have a basis in historical fact, with the king possibly being a real ruler of Uruk, and the tale's influence still felt in literature today.

Q & A

In what year were the ancient clay tablets containing the Epic of Gilgamesh discovered?

The ancient clay tablets containing the Epic of Gilgamesh were discovered in 1849.

Where was the library containing the Epic of Gilgamesh found?

The library containing the Epic of Gilgamesh was found in the ancient city of Nineveh in northern Iraq.

Who was the main character in the Epic of Gilgamesh?

The main character in the Epic of Gilgamesh is Gilgamesh, the king of the city of Uruk.

What was the purpose of creating Enkidu in the story?

Enkidu was created by the goddess Aruru to tame Gilgamesh, who was crashing every wedding and sleeping with the brides.

How did Enkidu's life change after the priestess of the goddess Ishtar seduced him?

After the priestess of the goddess Ishtar seduced Enkidu, the wild animals beyond the city walls rejected him, leading him to venture into the city.

What was the first significant act of friendship between Gilgamesh and Enkidu?

The first significant act of friendship between Gilgamesh and Enkidu was when they wrestled each other in the city streets, after which they became inseparable.

Who was Humbaba and why did Gilgamesh and Enkidu set out to slay him?

Humbaba was a creature with a thousand faces who guarded the trees of the Forest of Cedar. Gilgamesh and Enkidu set out to slay him to prove their strength in combat.

What did the goddess Ishtar do when Gilgamesh refused her romantic advances?

When Gilgamesh refused the romantic advances of the goddess Ishtar, she unleashed the Bull of Heaven on Uruk to destroy crops and kill people.

What happened to Enkidu after he and Gilgamesh killed the Bull of Heaven?

After Enkidu and Gilgamesh killed the Bull of Heaven, the gods killed Enkidu as punishment, and he entered the House of Dust, the Mesopotamian underworld.

What did Gilgamesh seek beyond the cosmic mountains?

Gilgamesh sought immortality beyond the cosmic mountains, fearing the fate of death like Enkidu.

Who was Utanapishti and what was his connection to immortality?

Utanapishti was an immortal man granted eternal life by the gods after surviving a great flood by building a boat and landing on a mountain peak.

What was the outcome of Gilgamesh's quest for immortality?

Gilgamesh's quest for immortality ended without him achieving it. Instead, he made peace with his mortality and vowed to spend his lifetime doing great deeds.

How did the story of Gilgamesh come to be part of Ashurbanipal's library?

The story of Gilgamesh was part of the library of the Assyrian king Ashurbanipal because the tablets containing the story were found in Nineveh, which was under his rule.

Outlines

00:00

📜 Discovery of the Epic of Gilgamesh

In 1849, archaeologists in Nineveh, Iraq, uncovered one of the world's oldest libraries, containing the 4,000-year-old Epic of Gilgamesh inscribed on clay tablets. The story revolves around Gilgamesh, the king of Uruk, who initially disrupts weddings by sleeping with brides before their husbands. To challenge him, the goddess Aruru creates Enkidu, a wild man living outside the city. After a series of events, Enkidu enters the city and confronts Gilgamesh, leading to a wrestling match that Gilgamesh narrowly wins. Despite the competition, they become inseparable friends, and together they embark on a quest to slay the monstrous Humbaba, who guards the Forest of Cedar. Humbaba pleads for his life but is ultimately killed by Gilgamesh. Upon their return, the goddess Ishtar, known for her fickle romantic interests, is rejected by Gilgamesh, leading her to send the Bull of Heaven to wreak havoc on Uruk. Gilgamesh and Enkidu defeat the bull, but as a result, the gods kill Enkidu, sending him to the underworld. This prompts Gilgamesh to seek immortality, leading him on a journey beyond the cosmic mountains.

Keywords

💡Nineveh

Nineveh was an ancient city located in what is now northern Iraq. It was a significant Assyrian city and served as the capital of the Assyrian Empire. In the context of the video, archaeologists discovered one of the oldest libraries in the world in Nineveh, which included the clay tablets of the Epic of Gilgamesh. This discovery is central to the video's theme of uncovering ancient history and literature.

💡Epic of Gilgamesh

The Epic of Gilgamesh is a 4,000-year-old story inscribed on clay tablets found in the library of Nineveh. It is considered one of the earliest known works of literature and is central to the video's narrative. The story revolves around the hero Gilgamesh and his quest for immortality, which is a key theme in the video.

💡Gilgamesh

Gilgamesh is the main character of the Epic of Gilgamesh and the king of the city of Uruk. In the video, he is depicted as a powerful but flawed ruler who initially abuses his power by taking brides for himself. His character development throughout the story, including his friendship with Enkidu and his quest for immortality, is a central focus of the video's exploration of heroism and the human condition.

💡Enkidu

Enkidu is a character in the Epic of Gilgamesh, created by the goddess Aruru to be a rival and eventual friend of Gilgamesh. He is initially wild and lives among the animals outside the city walls but becomes humanized after an encounter with a priestess. His relationship with Gilgamesh and his eventual death are pivotal to the video's themes of friendship, mortality, and the quest for meaning.

💡Humbaba

Humbaba is a creature from the Epic of Gilgamesh, described as having a thousand faces and guarding the trees of the Forest of Cedar. Gilgamesh and Enkidu set out to slay him, which represents a test of their strength and bravery. The encounter with Humbaba in the video illustrates the theme of overcoming obstacles and the struggle against forces of chaos.

💡Ishtar

Ishtar is the goddess of love, beauty, and war in Mesopotamian mythology, and she plays a significant role in the Epic of Gilgamesh. In the video, she takes a romantic interest in Gilgamesh but is rejected due to her reputation for being fickle and vengeful. Her actions, such as unleashing the Bull of Heaven, drive the plot and highlight the theme of divine intervention in human affairs.

💡Bull of Heaven

The Bull of Heaven is a creature sent by the goddess Ishtar to punish Gilgamesh for rejecting her advances. In the video, Gilgamesh and Enkidu slay the Bull to protect their city, Uruk. This event is a key moment in the story, showcasing the heroes' bravery and leading to Enkidu's death, which in turn propels Gilgamesh on his quest for immortality.

💡Immortality

The quest for immortality is a central theme in the Epic of Gilgamesh and a key focus of the video. After Enkidu's death, Gilgamesh becomes obsessed with finding a way to avoid death himself. His journey to find Utanapishti, who was granted immortality by the gods, and his eventual acceptance of his own mortality, form the core of the narrative.

💡Utanapishti

Utanapishti is a character in the Epic of Gilgamesh who was granted immortality by the gods after surviving a great flood. In the video, he serves as a mentor figure to Gilgamesh, advising him to accept mortality and live a meaningful life. Utanapishti's story and wisdom are crucial to the video's exploration of the human desire for eternal life and the importance of legacy.

💡Mortality

Mortality is a recurring theme in the video, as it is in the Epic of Gilgamesh. The inevitability of death and the search for meaning in the face of it are central to the story. Gilgamesh's initial denial of his mortality and his eventual acceptance and commitment to doing great deeds are key aspects of the narrative that the video explores.

💡Lapis Lazuli Tablet

In the video, Gilgamesh writes his story on a lapis lazuli tablet and buries it under the city walls for future generations to find. This act symbolizes the importance of legacy and the desire to leave a lasting impact on the world. The lapis lazuli tablet serves as a metaphor for the preservation of knowledge and the enduring nature of storytelling.

Highlights

In 1849, archaeologists discovered one of the oldest libraries in the world in Nineveh, Iraq.

The library contained a 4,000-year-old story, the Epic of Gilgamesh, inscribed on clay tablets.

The story of Gilgamesh, king of Uruk, begins with his disruptive behavior at weddings.

The goddess Aruru creates Enkidu to challenge Gilgamesh's reign over the city.

Enkidu, living outside the city walls, is rejected by wild animals after an encounter with a priestess.

Enkidu and Gilgamesh become inseparable friends after a wrestling match.

Together, they embark on a quest to slay the monstrous Humbaba in the Forest of Cedar.

Gilgamesh and Enkidu triumph over Humbaba despite his pleas for mercy.

The goddess Ishtar takes an interest in Gilgamesh, which he rejects due to her fickle nature.

Ishtar sends the Bull of Heaven to Uruk as punishment, but Gilgamesh and Enkidu defeat it.

Enkidu's death after the battle leads to Gilgamesh's quest for immortality.

Gilgamesh's journey takes him beyond the cosmic mountains in search of eternal life.

He encounters the goddess Shiduri, who advises him to accept mortality and enjoy life.

Utanapishti, granted immortality by the gods, also counsels Gilgamesh to accept his mortality.

Gilgamesh fails to stay awake for seven days, a test proposed by Utanapishti.

A magical plant that grants eternal youth is stolen by a snake before Gilgamesh can use it.

Gilgamesh reconciles with his mortality and dedicates his life to great deeds.

The Epic of Gilgamesh is recorded on a lapis lazuli tablet, buried under the city walls for future generations.

The tablets found in Nineveh are part of the library of Assyrian king Ashurbanipal.

Though mythical, Gilgamesh is likely based on a real king of Uruk, with tales dating back to 2000 BCE.

The story of Gilgamesh continues to influence literature to this day.

Transcripts

In 1849, in the ancient city of Nineveh in northern Iraq,

archaeologists sifted through dusty remains,

hoping to find records to prove that Bible stories were true.

What they found instead was one of the oldest libraries in the world.

Inscribed on crumbling clay tablets was a 4,000-year-old story

so riveting the first person to translate it started stripping from excitement.

Called the epic of Gilgamesh,

the story starts with Gilgamesh, king of the city of Uruk,

crashing every wedding and sleeping with the bride

before she has a chance to sleep with her husband.

To tame Gilgamesh, the goddess Aruru created a rival called Enkidu.

Enkidu lived beyond the walls of the city,

where chaos reigned and wild animals, invaders, and evil spirits prowled.

After a priestess of the goddess Ishtar seduced Enkidu,

the wild animals beyond the wall rejected him and he ventured into the city.

There, he encountered Gilgamesh up to his usual tricks.

Enkidu stepped in to stop him.

Almost perfectly matched, the two men wrestled all through the city streets

until Gilgamesh won the fight by a hair.

Afterwards, they were inseparable.

With his new friend, Gilgamesh turned his attention from the brides of Uruk

to proving his strength in combat.

They set out to slay Humbaba,

a creature with a thousand faces who guarded the trees of the Forest of Cedar.

They tracked Humbaba and ambushed him.

Cornered, he begged for his life,

then cursed them as Gilgamesh dealt the final blow.

Back home in Uruk, the goddess Ishtar took a romantic interest in Gilgamesh.

Knowing she tended to lose interest and curse her former flames,

Gilgamesh refused her advances.

So Ishtar unleashed the Bull of Heaven on Uruk to destroy crops and kill people.

When Gilgamesh and Enkidu slayed the creature defending the city,

the gods killed Enkidu.

He entered the House of Dust,

the shadowy Mesopotamian underworld where the spirits of the dead

knelt eternally on the ground, eating dirt and drinking stone.

Grieving for Enkidu and terrified of meeting this fate himself,

Gilgamesh set off beyond the cosmic mountains to seek immortality.

He passed scorpion people and groves of gemstone trees,

travelled beneath the mountains and outran the rising sun,

until he finally came to the end of the world,

where he found a bar.

The bartender was a goddess named Shiduri,

who urged Gilgamesh to give up his quest.

She told him all mortals must die,

but until death comes, he should enjoy his life.

But Gilgamesh refused to give up.

Reluctantly, Shiduri gave him directions to cross the Waters of Death

and meet the immortal man Utanapishti.

The gods had granted Utanapishti immortality following a great flood,

during which he built a boat,

loaded two of every animal onto it, and landed on a mountain peak.

Utanapishti also encouraged Gilgamesh to accept that death comes for everyone.

But Gilgamesh still would not budge.

So Utanapishti told him that if he could conquer sleep,

the gods might grant him immortality.

Gilgamesh intended to stay awake for seven days,

but fell asleep immediately.

Utanapishti then told him about a magical plant that grew at the bottom of the ocean

and granted eternal youth.

Though Gilgamesh successfully retrieved the plant,

a snake stole it on his way home.

But when Gilgamesh laid eyes on his beautiful city again,

he made peace with his mortality and vowed to spend his lifetime doing great deeds.

He wrote his story on a lapis lazuli tablet

and buried it under the city walls for future generations to find and learn from.

The tablets uncovered in Nineveh

were part of the library of the Assyrian king, Ashurbanipal.

Though the story is mythical, Gilgamesh was probably a real king of Uruk.

Versions of his tale date to 2000 BCE and perhaps even longer ago,

and still echo through literature today.