Gilgamesh, a legendary king of Uruk in ancient Mesopotamian mythology, is renowned for his incredible strength and heroic deeds.

The Epic of Gilgamesh, predating Homer’s Iliad and Odyssey by 1500 years, is recognized as the oldest piece of world literature. This Babylonian poem tells the story of Gilgamesh, the fifth king of the Sumerian city of Uruk, who ruled around 2700 BCE. His legendary deeds and supposed divine nature eventually shaped The Epic of Gilgamesh.

Known by various names across cultures—Bilgames in Sumerian, Gilgames in Akkadian, and Gilgamos in Greek—the meaning of his name is interpreted by scholars as “The Old Man is a Young Man” or possibly “The Kinsman is a Hero.”

The son of the priest-king Lugalbanda and the goddess Ninsun, Gilgamesh was a demigod with super-human strength and an exceptionally long life, as documented in the Sumerian King List, with a reign of 126 years. Moreover, prayers inscribed on clay tablets reveal that people addressed Gilgamesh in the afterlife as a judge of the Underworld, equating his wisdom with that of the renowned Greek judges Rhadamanthus, Minos, and Aeacus.

image

An ancient Assyrian statue, believed to possibly represent Gilgamesh, 713–706 BCE

In the mid-19th century, scholars discovered the most complete version of The Epic of Gilgamesh, written in Akkadian on clay tablets using cuneiform script, in the ruins of King Ashurbanipal’s ancient library in Nineveh. During this period, European museums, antiquarian societies, and governments dispatched archaeologists to Mesopotamia, hoping to find evidence supporting biblical narratives.

Contrary to their objectives, these explorers uncovered evidence that challenged their expectations. The ruins of Mesopotamia’s ancient cities revealed cuneiform texts which, once deciphered, indicated that well-known biblical stories such as the Fall of Man, the Great Flood, and Noah’s Ark, were likely influenced by earlier Sumerian myths. These discoveries in Mesopotamia dramatically shifted historical perspectives, underscoring that the Bible was not the world’s oldest book.

image

A damaged fragment of Tablet V from the Epic of Gilgamesh, dating back to the Old Babylonian period (2003-1595 BCE)

The Epic of Gilgamesh was initially transmitted orally, centuries before it was penned down between 700 and 1000 years after Gilgamesh’s rule, between 1300 and 1000 BCE. The story opens with Gilgamesh, the formidable king of Uruk, portrayed as an arrogant and oppressive ruler. The gods, responding to the grievances of Uruk’s citizens, create Enkidu, a creature of the wild, who transforms into a wise, human-like being after an encounter with a temple prostitute, marking his entry into civilization.

image

A terracotta wall panel depicting Enkidu, a friend of Gilgamesh, from Ur, Iraq, dating to 2027–1763 BCE

Gilgamesh and Enkidu, after an initial clash, forge a strong friendship and set out to make their mark on history by defeating Humbaba, the giant guardian of the Cedar Forest, as appointed by the gods. Victorious, they return to Uruk with cedar wood, symbolizing their triumph.

Upon their return, Ishtar, the goddess of war and love, enticed by Gilgamesh’s beauty, attempts to seduce him. He refuses her advances, pointing out the fates of her previous lovers. Outraged, Ishtar sends the Bull of Heaven to destroy Uruk. Gilgamesh and Enkidu slay the bull, and Enkidu further defies Ishtar by throwing part of the bull at her. This act against the gods leads to a divine decree: Enkidu must die.

The death of Enkidu plunges Gilgamesh into profound sorrow. This loss awakens him to his own mortality driving him to question life’s meaning and the value of earthly achievements in the face of inevitable death.

Overwhelmed with grief, he says:

How can I rest, how can I be at peace? Despair is in my heart. What my brother is now, that shall I be when I am dead. Because I am afraid of death I will go as best I can to find Utnapishtim whom they call the Faraway, for he has entered the assembly of the gods.

Leaving behind his pride and vanity, Gilgamesh embarks on a quest to discover life’s meaning and a way to overcome death. He ventures far in search of Utnapishtim, the legendary hero who outlived the Great Flood and received immortality as a gift from the gods.

During his travels, Gilgamesh encounters Siduri, a tavern keeper, who advises him to abandon his futile search and embrace life’s simple joys. Gilgamesh, however, finds this perspective unsatisfactory, convinced that life holds no meaning if it inevitably leads to losing everything one loves.

Continuing his quest through the Land of Night and across the Waters of Death, Gilgamesh reaches Utnapishtim. He shares his story with Gilgamesh, recounting how he was forewarned by the gods about the forthcoming flood. He obeyed their instructions to construct an ark and gather various animals, thereby preserving himself, his family, and various species from annihilation. After surviving the storm, he and his wife were given eternal life and made their home on a distant island, away from civilization.

Utnapishtim sets a challenge for Gilgamesh, offering eternal life if he can remain awake for six days, a test Gilgamesh fails. He then seeks a magical plant that rejuvenates youth, only to lose it to a snake while bathing, symbolizing the snake’s ability to renew itself by shedding its skin. Having failed in his quest, Gilgamesh returns to Uruk, where he decides to inscribe his story on the city walls.

image

An ancient Mesopotamian terracotta relief, depicting Gilgamesh slaying the Bull of Heaven, c. 2250–1900 BCE

In his pursuit of life’s meaning and defiance of death, Gilgamesh emerged as literature’s first epic hero. His journey, marked by grief and existential inquiry after his friend’s death, resonates with anyone who has grappled with loss and sought purpose in the shadow of mortality. Gilgamesh’s dread of death is essentially a fear of a life without a meaning. Although his search for immortality does not succeed, the quest itself fills his existence with meaning. His legacy endures through the tale itself, granting him a form of eternal life.

The poem The Death of Gilgamesh narrates that he was laid to rest at the bottom of the Euphrates, with the river’s waters parting upon his passing. In April 2003, a German archaeological team claimed to have found his tomb. Employing modern technology, including magnetic surveys within the former channels of the Euphrates, they uncovered garden enclosures, buildings, and structures that align with descriptions in The Epic of Gilgamesh, pointing to the possible location of Gilgamesh’s final resting place.

Related Posts

Shocking Footage: Flying Saucer Captured Passing Through a Time Portal

Iп a jaw-droppiпg momᴇпt that has captivatᴇd aυdiᴇпcᴇs worldwidᴇ, footagᴇ of a flyiпg saυcᴇr passiпg throυgh what appᴇars to bᴇ a timᴇ portal has lᴇft viᴇwᴇrs both stυппᴇd aпd iпtrigυᴇd. Thᴇ mystᴇrioυs vidᴇo, which sυrfacᴇd oпliпᴇ, shows a silvᴇr, disc-shapᴇd …

Read more

Shocking Discovery: Archaeologists Uncover 1,000-Year-Old Robots Buried Under Desert Sands, Challenging All Known History!

In a surprising discovery, archaeologists working in the desert have unearthed what appear to be ancient robotic figures buried deep within layers of sand, hidden from the world for thousands of years. This unprecedented find …

Read more

Revealing the Secrets of Merfolk Bones: Fossil Discoveries from the 19th Century to Present

The image of merfolk—a being half human, half fish—has long inspired myths and media. However, the discovery of merfolk bones in the real world has captured the attention of researchers and scientists for decades. These fossilized remains not only …

Read more

Archaeologists in Turkey have unearthed a trove of massive, 3,000-year-old swords, shedding new light on an ancient civilization

Iп the bυstliпg heart of a metropolis, where toweriпg skyscrapers reflect the ambitioпs of a rapidly advaпciпg world, aп extraordiпary discovery has emerged from beпeath the coпcrete jυпgle. Coпstrυctioп workers,…

Read more

Messi y Roccuzzo salieron a comer en familia en The Amalfi Llama en Miami

Lionel Messi y su esposa Antonela Roccuzzo estuvieron rodeados de fanáticos mientras cenaban en familia en Miami. Messi fue el centro de atención cuando llegaron al restaurante The Amalfi Llama a principios de esta semana, con fanáticos ansiosos por tomarse selfies con el futbolista…

Read more

Dad’s Cute Love: Amid rumors of a third child, Neymar shares sweet moments with his 2-year-old daughter on the pitch

The Brazilian football sensation Neymar, who is renowned for his amazing abilities on the pitch, is frequently spotted cuddling up to his daughter Davi Lucca. The sweet photos and videos that Neymar and his little child share together show how close they …

Read more

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *