Speaking of historical writings in the human race, Epic of Gilgamesh takes an interesting spot, being part of the earliest writings. It can never be said, read or spoken of, without the central character, Gilgamesh(you'll know who he was in a jiffy, keep reading). Epic of Gilgamesh stands to be a story that relates the history of a strong man whose name was Gilgamesh. Let me give you a quick download of who he was.
Gilgamesh, was a king of Uruk, fifth king, to be precise, in Mesopotamia. His father, Lugal-banda was said to be a priest-king and Nimsun, his mother, a great queen in her days. In the sumerian, he was also referred to as Bilgames, same as Gilgamos, in the Greek language. It's a popular believe that Gilgamesh was the fifth king of Uruk who ruled, to be exact, in the 26th century, BCE. Long after his time, other kings, like Shulgi of Ur, would muster his great name and even attribute their generation to his.
Now, the Epic of Gilgamesh actually comes earlier than Homer's writing by several years, 1500, to be factual. And for this cause, it has been put, by several historiographers as the most ancient pieces of remnant of an epic in all the accounts of western writings or publications.
The story set foot by giving a proper introduction of the central character, Gilgamesh, His powers, and moves sharply to the top characters, their dealings and journey, thus learning about life, its rival- death, and relationship. Well, to keep you abreast of the whole picture and what the epic really depicts, we've summed up everything into 10 must-know and interesting points or facts about the Epic of Gilgamesh. Read on!
Taking it from a standpoint, we have:
Contents
The introductory aspect talks about no other person than the principal character, Gilgamesh, as King of Uruk(a city discovered by King Enmerkar, situated in the southern part of Sumer, present-day Warka, iraq and some time recognized as one of the important cities in Mesopotamia), and the later incidents that formed his expedition.
A demi-god himself, some refer to him as a two-third god and one-third man, he was rugged, tough and full of strength. A somewhat figure we can liken him to in our world today is Thanos, in the fictitious movie, avenger's endgame. Going from points drawn from early history, he was sensed to be a very wise man who built big temples and towers in the city, heavily protected by the city's high barriers in the form of walls. The moment he got to know that he was more than a mere man, he allowed his discovery cloud his judgment and perception, literally turning him to a dictator and wicked king. To prove it, he started out by mistreating his followers, using his powers as King and superhuman wrongly, enlisting people in endless projects and taking women he desired forcefully to bed. All these continued until a later time when the gods of the land had to intervene.
Now, to stop Gilgamesh nonsense act of troubles and endless misuse of power, the gods came up with a plan and created a somewhat powerful living being whose powers equate that of Gilgamesh with a sole purpose, to bring him down. Enkidu, was the name. But, to the utmost surprise of the gods, Enkidu and Gilgamesh later became very close pals. With this development, the gods had no choice than to get rid of Enkidu, which they did by inflicting a terrible sickness on him. This later took his life. The height of their friendship really showed as Gilgamesh was very affected by his friend's death. Still not being able to come to the understanding that death is an inevitable part of every person's existence, Gilgamesh took to his guts and went on a journey to the ends of the world. In the course of this journey, he got insights into life and made his knowledge known by putting them down on tablets made of stones. These stone tablets now envelope the true life lessons depicted in the Epic of Gilgamesh.
With reference to the first examples of the Epic of Gilgamesh and if we are to believe the mysteries revolving around Gilgamesh, the epic is right at the peak of the tremendous pieces of writings from the old times. Undoubtedly, it has expanded to become a treasure when it comes to the cunieform writings or literature. Just so you know, cunieform is a style of writing created by Sumerians, dating back to 3500-3000 BC. Well, archaeologists haven't really found a concrete proof that could possibly link the epic to the true time it all started. However, countless numbers of copies of writings regarding the epic have been discovered in Asia( Syria and Israel, to be precise) and Europe-Asia region, Turkey. Additionally, Gilgamesh, the central character is spoken of all through Greek and Roman writings.
Moving on, there are one or two tablets showing the epic, telling the Babylonian model or version of the story. But, it contains a part or fraction of the history of Gilgamesh, in a not so similar storyline. And then, we have another model, the Akkadian version. Afterward, in the seventh century AD, modern historiographers discovered the most conserved slips in the remnants of the great king's library( Ashurbanipal, King of Assyria).
1. He was popularly called Bilgames in sumerian language and Gilgamos in Greek.
2. A demigod
3. Number five on the list of Kings of Uruk
4. He influenced so many with his way of life and actions that lots of people were tied and/or associated to his accomplishments from generation to generation.
These beliefs and tales were therefore finished in the Epic of Gilgamesh.
Gilgamesh wasn't just a vicious fighter or warrior, the epic also attests to the fact that he was a courageous architect, probably why he gave in to enlisting people into several endless construction projects. Though, he was totally in control as he had the whole territory at his beck and call, he was very much soiled by horrific escapades. He got in bed, several women he lusted after, coerced his people into incessant construction projects and he had multiple wars from here and there.
To the good of his people and himself, his unruly behaviors began to fade away gradually when his path crossed with Enkidu and they became inseparable friends.
With so much atrocities to his name, he found no friend(who would be his friend in that state?), until Enkidu came through. And in Enkidu, he got a real folk, someone he could call his brother, trust with situations around him and relate his deepest worries and fears with. So, the moment he lost Enkidu to an illness, all thanks to the gods, his eyes were opened and he got a strong and unforgettable understanding that death is something he couldn't hide from. In simple terms, if Enkidu, his powerful friend could be snatched by death, he could too.
With that timely understanding, still mourning his friend, he went straight on a mission to grasp everything there is to know about immortality or eternal life, thus, leaving the glory, honor, power and respect he enjoyed as a king. When he later reached the last mile of his mission, he discovers that real peace rests in humbly recognizing how temporal life itself is and he being happy is dependent on the way he decides to bring himself to agreement or alignment to this profound truth. With everything becoming crystal clear and having a whole new view of life, he heads back to his people, his throne, making a promise to himself to be better than he was before and redirect his superhuman strength and skills for greater things and good of mankind.
Enkidu's origin dated from the time Gilgamesh allowed his discovery of how powerful he was and his superhuman abilities to cloud his judgements and actions, thereby signing up for a tyrant era. As a counteractive measure, the gods fashioned and brought out Enkidu from two elements of the earth- clay and water, to measure up against the strength and powers of Gilgamesh, the then king of Uruk. But, he, Enkidu had a very dissimilar upbringing and youthful days from the great King Gilgamesh of Uruk. Enkidu spent his early days in close association with the wilds. This therefore became evident in him as his intuitions, way of life and everything was greatly conditioned to the doings and behaviors of the wilds( wild animals). This is mostly due to the fact that he had no association with the outside world, no association whatsoever with humans.
As time and seasons passed, he started developing, bit by bit, interactions with humans on a daily basis by rescuing entrapped animals by hunters. At the end of it all, he took a tough decision to put a stop to the old lifestyle of living with the wilds and taking on a new one, interacting with humans by embarking on a journey to the land of Uruk where Gilgamesh was king at the time.
It is believed that when Enkidu got to the land of Uruk, he fought with Gilgamesh, as a show of strength and power, just like the gods had in mind. The gods would probably be wearing a smiling face as at that time.
But to disappoint the gods, the two fighters became friends at the end of the day. Their friendship grew so strong that the King of Uruk saw him as a brother in arms, someone with equal make up and a confidant. Though, not as the gods planned it to be, Enkidu still, to a certain degree, accomplished his sole purpose on earth, by reducing the unruly acts of Gilgamesh using the friendship they shared. Showing the colors of a good brother, Enkidu motivated Gilgamesh to be a good example of who a true leader should be. But, the situation went from good to very bad when for one reason or the other, both friends jointly murdered Humbaba, Enlil's(god of the earth) servant.
Humbaba, also written as Huwawa, was a very terrifying demon to behold.He secures the Cedar Forest that gives no entry to mortals. Clothed in seven raiment, he created an atmosphere or a terrifying feeling that leaves his foes enveloped in fear. He spits fire from his mouth, rumbles and roars like a mighty flood, and characterized by a breathe of death. A truly terrifying being, but, one way or the other, was murdered by the duo.
As a result of this, Enkidu unleashed the full wrath of the gods as he was pulled down by the goddess of love and war(Ishtar) with an ailment that gradually overwhelmed his entire body system, then, he kicked the bucket.
Several years before Gilgamesh, there was a king who ruled, both as a king and high-priest of a city called Shuruppak. He was referred to as Utnapishtim. Shuruppak, modern day Tall Fa'rah, is an old city situated south of Nippur, now south-central Iraq. Utnapishtim was picked by god Enki for a purpose which was to forsake everything he had, in pursuit of a quest to build a ship, in preparation for the great flood that was bound to take out all living things. This is quite close to the biblical story of Noah and the ark. Not considering the fact that he'll have to let everyone around him to die, he faithfully did the job. At the completion of the task, he was, with his wife, given a spot among the gods of the land and were therefore made immortal beings.
Back to the two jolly friends feat. With a heavy heart, as a result of the demise of his one and true friend, plus the fear of death, Gilgamesh was saddled with the determination to search for Utnapishtim. Did he or did he not find him? You'd get to know in a moment, keep reading!
Since he and his wife were granted immortality by the gods, Gilgamesh had high hopes that he'd lead him on to the path of becoming immortal too. The moment their paths crossed, Utnapishtim gave his full strength into talking Gilgamesh out of his newly found mission and focus on living a life of happiness as a mortal man. Additionally, he also informed him of a magical plant that probably could assist him in his quest.
On his quest to find the one who was made immortal by the gods of the land, Gilgamesh, found himself at the entrance of the underworld. You remember legend of the seeker? Much more like it. Right here, Gilgamesh came in contact with Siduri, the keeper of the underworld.
At this point, it's important for you to know and note that various versions or models of the epic present diverse accounts and tales of what transpired between Siduri, the tavern-keeper of the Underworld and the King of Uruk, Gilgamesh. Siduri, was popularly referred to as the goddess of brewing and winemaking. She was taken aback when the super-strong demigod himself, Gilgamesh, threatened to break down the entire tavern if she doesn't give him a helping hand in his mission to become immortal.
At first, the goddess gave in to persuading him to quit the search for immortality, a rather foolish mission she believed. Eventually, when it seemed as if her words were falling on deaf ears, she directed him to the boatman, Urshanabi by name, who turned out to be really instrumental in helping Gilgamesh succeed in his mission.
Urshanabi was the keeper of the mysterious "stone things" and he sails a small boat through the Waters of Death to a long distance land where Utnapishtim lived.
It's basically called the older or earlier model. Going as far back as 2000-1500BC, Babylonian model of the epic is somewhat regarded as not enough or incomplete as it is devoid of one or two stone tablets. Additionally, the ones at hand obviously contained cuts and gaps in their storyline. This left historiographers with the view or believe that the epic itself could go back further than the Babylonian model presented. Eight dissimilar stone tablets that got their respective names from the site or location they were found, summed the ancient Babylonian version or model.
It is well the most famous and dutifully considered model or version one can relate with easily. Sin-liqe-unninni, was a scribe who had his lifetime between 1300 and 1000BC in Babylonia and he was found to be the one who collated what was regarded to be the best version of the epic of Gilgamesh. It was later found by Hormuzd Rassam in the wastes of King Ashurbanipal's library(king of Assyria) in Nineveh, the then capital of Assyria.
This Akkadian model, referred to as the standard version has two distinct starting lines which are known as "incipit" in cuneiform. This version contains eleven stone tablets that crosses the whole tale about Gilgamesh, right from his inception to his time with Enkidu, through to his expedition for eternity. The last tablet ends the entire epic by summarizing how Gilgamesh got the understanding of how to worship the gods of the land and his decision to spend what was left of his life cleanly as a wise king. However, a twelfth tablet was included in the standard Akkadian model at a later time.
There are a couple of similarities in the Epic of Gilgamesh and the Bible(Hebrew Bible) story.
1. The flood
This is arguably the most popular similarity between the two storylines. The great flood line out in a very identical form to the story about Noah and the ark in the Bible.
2. Incidents in the story involving the ark are somewhat similar to some cases in the first book of the Bible, Genesis.
There are also some differences or contrast in the storylines too.
1. Noah spent a long time building the ark, however, Utnapishtim had a week to get the job done.
2. The rain lasted for a month and ten days in the case of the biblical story of Noah. But, it's different for the epic as it only rained for a week.
The Epic of Gilgamesh is currently considered as one of the most ancient, if not the most ancient great piece of writings in cuneiform. And to speak the truth, it has witnessed several transformations and/or modifications as it has been passed down from generation to generation. Showing several captivating ideas relating to friendship, leadership, death, and many other whatnots, it has somehow found its way into the literature of successive cultures, thus, influencing them.
Several stories of ancient Greek with diverse characters have, in a way, identical incidents to the Epic of Gilgamesh. In our days, it has received bigger exposure and audience, after-World War 1 period, for example. Immediately the second world war broke off, it has already had presence in lots of literature.
You can see more in this video:
This feature-enriched story of the Epic of Gilgamesh places it far above, from being a mere archaeological artifact.To be true, its got its own portion of shocking and somewhat disturbing moments and spins, plus its bizarre concepts on how the universe came into existence. It could also have been modified or slightly drifted from its original storyline due to the number of times it has been reformed and told.
With all this, the story of the Epic of Gilgamesh undoubtedly stays enchanting, in terms of the fascinating journeys Gilgamesh embarked on, or the great lessons derived by the readers.
No doubt, you've followed all through. So tell us, what really got you the most from the entire storyline. Is it how the gods were disappointed when Enkidu and Gilgamesh became friends or the moment the duo killed Enlil's servant, Humbaba?
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