Overview
This lecture introduces the Epic of Gilgamesh, summarizing its plot, themes, and cultural impact, with special focus on its parallels to the Bible and the history of its rediscovery.
The Epic of Gilgamesh: Plot Summary
- Gilgamesh, king of Uruk, seeks immortality after the death of his friend Enkidu.
- Enkidu, created by the gods as Gilgamesh’s equal, becomes civilized through contact with Shamhat.
- Gilgamesh and Enkidu undertake heroic quests, slaying the monster Humbaba and the Bull of Heaven.
- The gods punish them for their arrogance; Enkidu is chosen to die.
- Gilgamesh mourns Enkidu deeply, confronting his own mortality.
- Gilgamesh seeks Utnapishtim, the flood survivor, to learn the secret of eternal life.
- Utnapishtim recounts how he gained immortality after surviving a divine flood.
- Gilgamesh fails both a sleep test and to secure the plant of youth, which a snake steals.
- The epic ends with Gilgamesh realizing immortality lies in lasting achievements and memory.
Historical Context and Rediscovery
- The epic was used to train ancient scribes and influenced later texts, including the Bible.
- Rediscovered in 19th-century excavations at Nimrud and Nineveh; key figures include Layard and George Smith.
- The Akkadian language replaced Sumerian and split into Babylonian and Assyrian dialects.
Major Parallels with the Bible
- Both the Epic and Genesis feature a great flood, divine warning, ark-building, and release of birds for land.
- Both have themes of divine punishment, survival, covenant, and renewal.
- Serpents play roles in denying humans immortality or knowledge in both stories.
- Both depict gardens of the gods and humans molded from clay.
- The relationship between Gilgamesh and Enkidu resembles that of David and Jonathan.
Key Themes and Lessons
- Quest for immortality is central, but true legacy lies in deeds and memory.
- Civilizing influence of women and transition from wilderness to society.
- Divine justice, limits of human power, inevitability of death, and value of enjoying life.
- Literary devices bookend the epic, reinforcing cyclical storytelling and lasting fame.
Key Terms & Definitions
- Uruk — Ancient city ruled by Gilgamesh.
- Enkidu — Wild man created as Gilgamesh’s counterpart, later his friend.
- Humbaba — Monster guardian of the Cedar Forest.
- Utnapishtim — Flood survivor granted immortality by the gods.
- Ishtar — Goddess who pursues Gilgamesh romantically.
- Foundation deposit — An inscribed box buried by kings for posterity and the gods.
- Akkadian — Major ancient Mesopotamian language.
Action Items / Next Steps
- Read the full Epic of Gilgamesh for deeper understanding.
- Compare specific episodes from the Epic with parallel Biblical passages for further study.