[Music] perhaps the most famous story from ancient Iraq is the Epic of gamesh a story about a quest for meaning and immortality The Adventurous ruler seeks to secure his own immortality only to be foiled time and again along the way the Epic of games composed in the second millennium BCE that's nearly 4, th000 years ago was a magisterial piece of literature that was used amongst other things to train scribes to read and write the story gained such popularity that it influenced the most famous book known to humanity the Bible in the end our hero learns that his secret to immortality is not to be found with some magical plant or decision of the Gods with the memory that he leaves behind through his Great accomplishments most people may have heard the name of Gilgamesh but have never taken the time to actually read the Epic don't worry we will help you get the gist of the Epic of games and hope to help you understand in some ways how the ideas expressed in its epic have impacted the Bible Our Story begins with the narrator praising some of these wondrous deeds and attributes of the Ancient King of the city of eruk he who saw the the Wellspring the foundations of the land who knew the world's ways was wise in all things he it was who studied seats of power everywhere full knowledge of it all he gained this knowledge that he gained was no ordinary type of information Gilgamesh learned the secrets from before the time of the worldwide flood the reader is encouraged to look upon the mighty city of erch that Gilgamesh had constructed he built the walls of ramp parted erch the lustrous treasury of hallowed IA see its upper wall which girds it like a cord gaze at the lower course which no one can equal Mount the wooden staircase there from Days of old approach IA the dwelling of Ishtar which no future king no human being can equal God up pace out the walls of erach study the foundation Terrace and examine the brick work one square mile of City one square mile of gardens one square mile of clay pits a half square mile of ishtar's dwelling 3 and2 square miles is the measure of erk one of the traditions in ancient Mesopotamia was for a king to record Mighty deeds and to place them in a box and bury the Box in a foundation of a major structure or a city wall this is known as a foundation deposit when a future king would rebuild a structure because it was worn down and needed to be rebuilt they would often look for a foundation deposit in this way Kings could leave messages for the gods and for future rulers in these Foundation boxes the Epic of gogames is said to have been just such a deposit it open the foundation box of Cedar release its lock of bronze raise the lid upon its hidden contents take up and read from the lapis tablet of all the miseries that he Gilgamesh came through what gilgames experienced was of extraordinary difficulty and the lessons he learned from these hardships were captured in this story Gilgamesh was no ordinary King part human part Divine he was the perfect image of a hero surpassing all Kings for his stature renowned heroic offspring of Eric a charging Wild Bull towering Gilgamesh is uncannily perfect we learned from the beginning that this mighty warrior worked tirelessly to search for a way to obtain immortality opening passes in the mountains digging Wells at the Highlands Verge traversing the ocean the vast sea to the sun's Rising exploring the furthest reaches of the earth seeking everywhere for eternal life he was quite the specimen the locks of his hair grew thick as a grainfield his teeth gleamed like the Rising Sun his hair was dark as deep blue strands of wool 11 Cupids about 16 ft 6 in was his height his chest four Cupids about 6 ft triple cupit his feet 4 and 1/2 ft his leg 6 * 12 his stride was 6 * 12 cits his great size and power made him a Great Hero but also made it possible for him to abuse his people gilgames could wrestle with 50 companions wearing out young men every day he kept the young men of eruk fearful of mistreatment in ramp parted ER he stroe back and forth lording it like a wild bull his head thrust High the onslaught of his weapons had no equal His companion stood forth by his game stick he was harrying the young men of UK Beyond Reason Gilgamesh would leave no son to his father day and night he would Rampage fiercely not only did the men of UK suffer but this great king who was supposed to care for his people even abused the women gilg gesh king of this numberless people he The Shepherd of ramp parted eruk Gilgamesh would leave no girl to her mother Gilgamesh would leave no young woman to her husband gilgames would take advantage of the girls of UK before they would marry a husband so the people cried out to the gods complaining about their King's Behavior their bitter clamor rose up to the sky the warrior's daughter the young man's chosen Ishtar kept hearing their plaints their bitter complaint reached the heaven of Anu Anu devises a plan what if a rival were to be created for the unruly King let them summon aruru the great one she created the human race let her create a match for gilgames Mighty and strength let them contend with each other that UK may have peace at anu's command aruru began her work aruru wet her hands she pinched off clay she cast it down upon the step she created Valiant Inky doo in the step who was this Inky dooo what was he like when he was created we are not left to guess Shaggy with hair was his whole body he was made Lush with head hair like a woman the locks of his hair grew thick as a grain filled he knew neither people nor inhabited land he dressed as animals do he ate grass with gazel with beasts he jostled at the water hold with Wildlife he drank his fill of water inadu is here described in ways that are similar to descriptions of uncivilized people groups those that live in the city are civilized and are loved by the gods here inyu is portrayed as one who knows nothing of civilization and must be taught the ways of City Life inkyu quickly began to make problems for the people in the city a hunter a trapping man encountered him at the water hole one day a second and a third he encountered him at the water hold when he saw him the hunter stood stock still with Terror as for inkyu he went home with his beasts the hunter was a gasp struck dumb his feelings were in turmoil his face drawn there was sorrow in his heart his face was like a traveler's from afar the hunter made ready to speak saying to his father my father there is a certain fellow who comes to the water hole he is the mightiest in the land strength is his like the force of heaven so mighty is his strength he constantly ranges over the Uplands constantly eating grass with Beast constantly making his way to the water hold I am too frightened to approach him he is filled in the pits I dug he has torn out my traps I set he helped the Beast wildlife of the step slip from my hands he will not let me work the step what a situation to be in this Hunter who makes his livelihood from the animals in the step has encountered an animal-like man incredibly strong who has been aiding the animals and escaping the hunter the Hunter's father advises him to go to the king Gilgamesh he will give you shamat the Harlot take her with you let her Prevail over him instead of a mighty man when the wild beast draw Near The Water Hole let her strip off her clothing laying bare her charms when he sees her he will approach her his Beast that grew up with him on the step will deny him an interesting plan to say the least the prostitute shamhat is to entice inkyu and have sex with him after which he will become foreign to the animals who will no longer have anything to do with him sounds like Adam and Eve with the animals as we might expect when the hunter approaches Gilgamesh with the problem he sends him to the step with shamat the two of them stake out the watering hole when the time comes inkyu and the animals come to drink there he is shamat open your Embrace open your loins let him take your charms be not bashful take his Vitality when he sees you he he will approach you toss aside your clothing let him lie upon you treat him a human to Woman's Work his Beast will deny him though he grew up with them as in his passion he caresses you shamhat complies and inkyu approaches her 6 Days Seven Nights was inkyu aroused flowing into shamat after he had his F of her Delights he set off towards the beasts when they saw him inkyo the gazelle's shied off the wild beast of the step shunned his person inkyu has polluted his virginal body not only could the animals sense the difference inkyu himself had undergone physical changes his knees Stood Still while his beasts were going away inuu was too slow he could not run as before but he gained reason broadening his understanding indeed he had moved one step closer toward life in the city and civilization with nowhere else to go and kidu comes back to shamhat who tells him you are handsome inku you are become like a god why roam the step with wild beasts come let me lead you to ramp parted erk to the hollowed Temple Abode of Anu and Ishtar the place of Gilgamesh who is perfect in strength and so so like a wild bull he Lords it over the young men excited about the prospect of finding a friend inkyo replies come shamat escort me to the lustrous hallowed Temple a bod of Anu and Ishtar the place of gilgames who is perfect in strength and so like a wild bull he Lords it over the young men I myself will challenge him I will speak out boldly I will raise a cry in UK I am the mighty one I am the one who will change Destinies he who was born in the step is mighty strength is his shamad attempts to Nuance inu's intent in going to UK to meet Gilgamesh the gods favor Gilgamesh attested by his strength and beauty inkyu should come to erk to enjoy the life that courses through the city where young men are resplendent in Holiday clothing where every day is set for a celebration where drums never stop beating and the harlots too they are fairest of form rich in Beauty full of delights even the great gods are kept from sleeping at night the story shifts back to erk where Gilgamesh has had a dream and he is bringing it to his mother the goddess ninon to have her explain its meaning mother such a dream I had last night there were stars of Heaven around me as the force of Heaven kept falling toward me I tried to carry it but it was too strong for me I tried to move it but I could not budge it this thing that fell from heaven became the focus of all the people of urk everyone clamored to see it and Gilgamesh explains I fell in love with it like a woman I caressed it carried it off and laid it down before you then you were making it my partner nson explains that the dream means there will come to you a strong one it companion who rescues a friend he will be Mighty in the land strength will be his like the force of heaven so mighty will be his strength you will fall in love with him like a woman you will caress him he will be Mighty and rescue you time and again thinking of King David and Jonathan following this explanation he tells his mother of a second similar dream which is interpreted in much the same way the King was overjoyed at the prospect of gaining a close friend the scene shifts back to shamad and inkyu she clothes inyu and took him to the shepherd's Hut where a Sheepfold was the Shepherds crowded around him they said to themselves of their own accord this fellow is like Gilgamesh in stature inkid do was served bread and beer things that he had never consumed before Inu did not eat the bread he eyed it uncertainly ly then stared incu did not know to eat bread nor had he ever learned to drink beer shamad encourages him and inkyo eats becoming further civilized inkyu ate the bread until he was saded he drank seven juglets of beer his mood became relaxed he was singing joyously he felt lighthearted and his features glowed he had his hair cut from his body and was anointed with oil then put on proper clothing and became more human with his great strength he protected the Shepherds and their flock guarding them through the night and killing Lions one day a traveler comes by and tells sham and inkyu that he is going to the city of er to celebrate a wedding however much to inkid Do's surprise and dismay there's a darker side to the ceremony for Gilgamesh king of broad mared irk the people's veils are open for his choosing he mates with the lawful wife he first the groom after by Divine decree pronounced from The Cutting of his umbilical cord she is his do for this Inky do will not stand he and shamhat make their way to IR when he entered the street of broad mared irk a multitude crowded around him they said about him he is equal to gogames and build though shorter in stature he is stronger a frame with the entire city gathered around inkyu confronts Gilgamesh as Gilgamesh went to sleep with the bride inkyu blocked the door to the wedding with his foot not allowing Gilgamesh to enter an earthshaking fight they grappled with each other crouching like Bulls they shattered the doorpost the wall shook they fought in the street the Public Square it was Gilgamesh who knelt for the wind his foot on the ground his Fury Abad he turned away yush had won but it appears not by much inkyu then addresses Gilgamesh as one unique did your mother bear you the wild Cal of the ramparts ninon exalted you above the most valorous of men enlil has granted you kingship over the people from that point forward the two were inseparable they kissed each other and made friends Inu and Gilgamesh go to ninon gilgamesh's mother and she warns him that this friendship will ultimately result in difficulty after lamenting such news Gilgamesh formulates a plan that will gain them Fame there dwells in the forest a fierce monster whom Baba you and I shall kill him and wipe out something evil from the land let us surprise him in his dwelling given his experience in the forest inkyu who warns Gilgamesh that humbaba is quite the formidable opponent humbaba's cry is the Roar of a deluge his mul is fire his breath is death the dwelling of humbaba is a hopeless Quest he explains that inel himself had set humbaba to guard the cedar Forest Gilgamesh responds that this journey is of utmost importance people's days are numbered whatever they attempt is a puff of air here you you are even You Afraid Of Death what good is your bravery's might I will go before you you can call out to me go on be not afraid if I fall I'll have established my name Gilgamesh who joined battle with Fierce hababa they'll say I must establish Eternal Fame come my friend let's be off to The Foundry let them cast axes such as we'll need they armed themselves with a variet of deadly weapons and went before the Assembly of the city of irk Gilgamesh addressed the Elders of the city telling them of their plans inyu attempt to persuade the elders to turn Gilgamesh from this plan he must not go to the forest of Cedars that journey is not to be undertaken that being is not to be looked upon the elders agree with inkyu and attempt to persuade Gilgamesh against this course of action Gilgamesh however remains determined to go I will slay humbaba like a lion I will lash together logs of Cedar Cyprus and every green trees I will gather the bowels upon it I will cut off humbaba's head and I will navigate Downstream realizing that Gilgamesh is not to be deterred the elders entrust Gilgamesh to inu's care let inkyu walk before you he knows the way to the forest of Cedars he has seen battle been exposed to combat let Inky do protect his friend Safeguard His companion let him return to be a grave husband we in our assembly entrust the king to you on your return entrust the king to us before setting off the two Warriors visit ninon in order to receive her blessing on the quest in a lengthy prayer ninon asks shamash the son God to watch over them armed and under the protection of the Gods the two make their way west to the cedar for for given their great size strength and stamina the pair is able to cover a tremendous distance in just a short period of time 20 double leagues they took a bite to eat at 30 double leagues they made their Camp 50 double leagues they went in a single day a journey of a month and a half in 3 days as they set up camp goesh asks to be given a dream in order to be reassured that he will be successful uccessful in his Venture inkyo builds Gilgamesh a small shelter in which to sleep and performs a ritual of spreading flower in a circle on the ground as Gilgamesh sleeps he dreams of a mountain falling on top of him in the middle of the night he awoke got up and said to his friend my friend did you not call me why am I awake did you not touch me why am I Disturbed did a God not pass by where does my flesh tingle my friend I had a dream and the dream I had was very disturbing inkid do reassures Gilgamesh that the dream was a good omen my friend the mountain you saw is humbaba we will catch humbaba we will kill him we will throw down his corpse on the field of battle then at dawn we will see Good Tidings from shamash the cycle repeats they travel a great distance gilgames dreams and Inky do into interprets finally the two reached their destination the cedar Forest they stood there marveling at the forest they gazed at the height of the Cedars they gazed at the way into the forest but all was not well with our hero as the cedar cast its shadow Gilgamesh was beset by fear stiffness seized his arms then numbness befell his legs in spite of his friend's Panic inkyu exclaimed let's go into the forest on with it let's raise our challenge perhaps to talk himself out of his own fear Gilgamesh gives a rousing speech to Inky Doom why my friend we are trembling like weaklings we who crossed all the mountains signs will appear before us further along we will see some light my friend is a veteran of combat one who has experienced Battle Is Not Afraid Of Death you have spattered yourself with gold or you're not afraid of death get your blood up like an oracle work yourself into a trance your battlecry should Boom Like A Drum get the stiffness out of your arms RVE the numbness from your legs take hold of me my friend your thoughts should focus on Battle we now get our first glimpse into the mind of the guardian of the cedar Forest humbaba humbaba debated with himself saying no seeker of C leer has come no seeker of Cyprus has come why are the birds perturbed why are my very own Birds alarmed returning to Our Heroes inkyu now speaks confidently to gamesh my friend one is one but two are double though one be weak two together are strong if one cannot scale a slippery slope two can do it together a three strand rope is stronger when doubled two Cubs are strong stronger than a mighty lion preparing for attack yogesh prays to his Divine protector the Sun God shamash forget not that day oh shamash I put my trust in You Stand By Me Now protect Gilgamesh Sian of aruko shamash replies hurry confront him do not let him go off into the forest do not let him enter the thicket he has not dawned all his seven fearsome cloaks one he has on six he has left off the following section is fragmentary but when the text picks back up we see whom Baba speaking directly to Our Heroes why have you made your way here come Inky Doo small fry who does not know his father spawn of a turtle or tortoise you suck no mother's milk I used to see you when you were younger but would not go near you had I killed the likes of you would I have filled my belly why have you brought guil amesh to me with evil intent and taken a stand there like some foreign foe I should slash the throat and neck of Gilgamesh I should let flying insects Screaming Eagles and vultures feed on his flesh Gilgamesh starts to waver in his resolve and inkyo pushes him to attack Gilgamesh Advanced heeding his friend's advice he sprang like a lion while inkyu rushed forward like a bodyguard then they seized humbaba in the forest his cry filled the forest after a fierce struggle Gilgamesh overpowers humbaba the mighty Guardian then pleads for his life to be spared oh Gilgamesh a dead man cannot serve a master a living slave is profitable for his master oh Gilgamesh spare my life you will be Master wherever I am inyu warns Gilgamesh friend do not listen to what humbaba says do not heed his in treaties to whom humbaba responds I might have lifted you up dangled you from a twig at the entrance to my Forest I might have let flying insects Screaming Eagles and vultures feed on your flesh now then inkid do Mercy is up to you tell ggames to spare my life just as humbaba did not kill inkyu inkyu should spare humbaba unfortunately his pleas fall on deaf ears inkyu presses gilgames finish him off for the kill put him out of his existence establish your reputation for all time Gilgamesh who slew humbaba having run out of options the guardian of the forest appeals directly to shamat but it appears that no help is forthcoming humbaba turns and curses inkyu for what he has done and the lack of Mercy shown to him gilgames then finally turns and kills humbaba yogesh heeded his friend's words he drew off the sword sword at his side Gilgamesh smote him in the neck he struck him humbaba the guardian down to the ground he slew the monster guardian of the forest having slain the guardian of the cedar Forest the two set out to cut down large cedar trees these actions killing Kaba and cutting down the cedar trees would likely anger Ino inkyu relays this to gamesh my friend we have made a wasteland of the forest how shall we answer answer for it to enel and Nipper when he says you slew the guardian as a deed of Valor but what was this your Fury that you decimated the forest in hopes of plating inil they plan to cut down the tallest Cedar and bring it back to nepper to build a huge door for enil's temple out of it let no stranger approach it may the God love it let the Euphrates bring it to Nipper Nipper the sanctuary of enil may enil be Delight with you may Enlow Rejoice over it they bring the Cedars down the Euphrates upon their return Gilgamesh cleans himself up drawing the attention of the Goddess Ishtar the princess Ishtar coveted gilgamesh's Beauty she said come Gilgamesh you shall be my bridegroom give me of your lusciousness you shall be my husband shall be your wife she promises him great wealth and prosperity Gilgamesh is unmoved what will I get if I marry you you are a brazer that goes out when it freezes a flimsy door that keeps out neither wind nor drop a palace that crushes a warrior an elephant that knocks down its housing tar that smears its Bearer water skin that soaks its Bearer weak stone that undermines a wall battering ram that destroys the wall for an enemy shoe that pinches its wear yikes why would he insult Ishtar in such a ious manner Gilgamesh recounts her history as a lover which of your lovers lasted forever come I call you to account for your lovers for dezi your girlhood lover you ordained year after year of weeping gogames goes through a list of Those whom Ishtar fell in love only to bring about a terrible outcome for each he concludes as for me now that you've fallen in love with me you will treat me like them Ishtar deeply offended and enraged hurries up to heaven to speak to Anu her father Ishtar went sobbing before Anu her father before Anum her mother her tears flowed down father yogesh has said outrageous things about me yogesh has been spouting insults about me insults and abuse against me she demands that her father give her the giant creature the bull of Heaven in order to kill Gilgamesh if you don't give me the bull of Heaven I'll strike down the nether fastness as well as where it's inmates dwell I'll turn the nether regions upside down I'll raise the dead to Devour the living the dead shall greatly outnumber the living Anu eventually agrees and Ishtar returns to wreak havoc on the city of Aro when it reached Aro it dried up Groves Reed beds and marshes it went down to the river it lowered the river by seven Cupids at the Bull's snort pit opened up 100 men of Aro fell into it one after another in the midst of the chaos inkyu took action inkyu sprang out and seized the bull by its horns the bull spewed its foam in his face swished dung at him with the TFT of its tail having lost round one inkyu rallies Gilgamesh and makes a plan to take the bull down inkid do circled around behind the bull of Heaven he grabbed it by the TFT of its tail he set his foot on its Hawk then Gilgamesh like a strong skillful Slaughter thrust his dagger between nape horn and killpoint they had defeated the bull of Heaven at the sight Ishtar sat on the walls of urk and welled blaming Gilgamesh for his insults and for killing the bull when inkyu hear what Ishtar said he tore off the Bull's hunch and flung it at her you too if I could Vanquish you I'd treat you like this I'd drape the guts over your arms not a good thing to say to a goddess both inkyu and gilgames celebrated their Victory but it was to be shortlived their actions had gone too far and judgment was about to come from the gods because they had killed the bull of heaven and cut cedar trees down in the forest one of the two must die it is ultimately decided that it should be inkyo which is is revealed to inkyu in a dream inyu laments prays to shamash then curses the Hunter and The Prostitute shamhat for their role in bringing him out of his life in the step May the hunter not get enough to make him a living make his profit loss cut down his take may his income his portion evaporate before you shamash any Wildlife wherever it enters his traps may it go out as if it through a window when he had cursed the hunter to his heart's content he resolved to curse the Harlot shamhat come shamhat I will ordain you a destiny a destiny that will never end forever and ever a long list of curses follows to which shamash replies oh Inky do why curse shamhat the Harlot who gave you bread to eat bit for a God who poured you beer bit for a king who dressed you in a noble garment and gave you handsome Gilgamesh for a comrade he Comforts inkyu with the knowledge that Gilgamesh will lament his death and bury him properly when inyu heard the speech of the Valiant shamash his raging heart was calmed he reverses his curses upon shamhat pronouncing instead with blessings Inu dreams that he is to be taken to the Nether world and although Gilgamesh attempts to persuade him that it is not a bad Omen Inu indeed Falls terminally ill the day he had the dream his strength ran out inkid Do's illness grew worse he called for Gilgamesh roused him with his cry my friend my God has turned against me shortly thereafter inkyo dies Gilgamesh falls into a terrible state of lamentation calling for everyone to weep for him all the while I too shall be weeping for you hear me oh young men listen to me hear me oh Elders of UR listen to to me I weep for my friend inkyo I well as bitterly as a professional Keener what now is this sleep that has seized you you have faded from me you cannot hear me in a moving section of the story inkyo does not reply but as for him he did not raise his head he touched his heart but it beat no more then he covered his friend's face like a Brides he hovered around him like an eagle like a lioness Rock robbed of her Cubs he paced to and fro back and forth tearing out and letting fall in a heap the locks of his hair ripping off and hurling away his fine clothes like something foul he performs extensive ferary rights calling for mourning throughout the land and after all his lamenting Gilgamesh comes to a harsh realization Gilgamesh was weeping bitterly for inkyu his friend as he roamed the step I shall die too shall I not then be like Inky oh sorrow has entered my heart in light of this Epiphany he makes a decision I have grown afraid of death so I ran the step having come this far I will go on swiftly towards utnapishtim son of ubar tutu he will travel to the Survivor of the flood and find out how he was able to acquire eternal life Gilgamesh approaches the mountains where shamash the sun god comes out at Sunrise the entrance is guarded by fearsome creatures the twin Peaks are called mashum when he arrived at the first Peak called mashum which daily watches over the rising of the sun scorpion monsters guard its portal their fearsome glories are Stupify the sight of them is death their ghastly Radiance spreads over the mountain they watch over the Sun at his rising and setting when Gilgamesh approaches them they converse with one another concerning him the Scorpion monster called to his wife the one who has come to us his body is flesh of the Gods the Scorpion Monster's wife answered him 2/3 of him is divine one3 is human the Scorpion monster the male one called out who are you who have come this long way how have you come here before me how did you cross the Seas a perilous Crossing I would learn of your journey the goal toward which you make your way I would learn of its purpose gilgames explains I seek the road to my forefather utnapishtim whom they call the distant one he who took his place among the gods and found eternal life he will reveal to me the secret the Scorpion warns him there was never oh Gilgamesh anyone like you no one ever entered the interior of the mountain its passage is 12 double hours dense is the darkness no light is there how would Gilgamesh be able to make it through the Pitch Black Mountain fast enough to beat the sun before it makes its pass across cross the sky and re-enters the tunnel at the opposite end however he ultimately allows gilgames to enter the tunnel through the mountains Gilgamesh ran hour after hour he ran knowing that if he were not able to exit the tunnel before the sun entered from the other end he would certainly be doomed when he had gone 10 double hours the time for the sun's entry was drawing near when he had gone 11 double hours just one double hour was left when he had gone 12 double hours he came came out ahead of the sun having outrun the sun Gilgamesh makes his way through a Beed Grove finally arriving at a Tavern that is situated at the edge of the sea in this tavern lived siduri the tavern keeper Gilgamesh stroe toward her he was clad in a skin he was frightful he had flesh of gods in his body sorrow was in his heart his face was like a traveler's from afar the tavern keeper eyed him from a speaking to herself she said these words she debated within herself this I am sure is a Slaughter of wild bulls whence made he straight for my door so fearful was his appearance that siduri barred her door and retreated to the roof yames sees her on the roof and calls out to her Tavern keeper when you saw me why did you bar Your Door bar your door and go up to the roof Terrace I will strike down the door I will shatter the door bolt gogames Converses with her telling her who he is and the mighty Deeds that he and Inky do accomplish together she replies why are your cheeks emaciated your face cast down your spirit wretched your features wasted sorrow in your heart your face like a traveler's from afar your features weathered by cold and Sun why are you clad in a lion's skin roaming the step gogames laments that he has lost his friend inkyu whom I so loved who went with me through every hardship the fate of mankind has overtaken him six days and seven nights I wept for him I would not give him up for burial until a worm fell out of his nose inkyo my friend whom I loved is turned into clay shall I too not lie down like him and never give it up and never get up forever and ever siduri's words were to the point Gilgamesh wherefore do you wander the eternal life you are seeking you shall not find when the gods created mankind they established death for mankind and withheld eternal life for themselves she does have some words of encouragement however as for you Gilgamesh let your stomach be full always be happy night and day make every day a delight night and day play and dance your clothes should be clean your head should be washed you should bathe in water look proudly on the little one holding your hand let your mate always be Blissful in your loins this then is the work of mankind he who is alive should be happy Gilgamesh is undeterred however he demands to know the way to the flood Survivor Gilgamesh there has never been a way across no one from the dawn of time has ever crossed this see she explains how treacherous The Crossing is the water kills whoever touches it the only one who crossed it The Boatman ER shabi has stonem men who push the boat through the water who are unaffected by the lethal water go show yourself to him if possible cross with him if not turn back rashly Gilgamesh finds Ur shabi and his stonemen and makes a tragic mistake he crept forward went down toward them like an arrow he dropped among them his Battle Cry resounded in the forest urabi took up arms to defend himself but Gilgamesh was too powerful for him though Boatman questions the attacker why are your cheeks emaciated your face cast down your spirit wretched your features wasted sorrow in your heart your face like a travelers from afar your features weathered by cold and Sun why are you clad in a lion's skin roaming the step gilgames laments inkid Do's death and and his current fear of death 6 days and seven nights wept for him who would not give him up for burial until a worm fell out of his nose I was frightened I have grown afraid of dying so I Roan the step shall I too not lie down like him and never get up forever and ever gilgames then implores urabi to tell him the way to utap pished him the Survivor of the worldwide flood who gained eternal life urabi said to him to Gilgamesh your own hands have foiled you Gilgamesh you have smashed the stone charms you have thrown them into a channel the stone charms are smashed and the cedar has not been picked oh the irony the stone men who were able to Traverse the Waters of death unaffected had been smashed to bits by gilgamesh's own hands and they were destroyed before they were able to cut long Cedar poles that could be used as punting holes to make it through the waters urabi offers a solution Gilgamesh raise the axe in your hand go down into the forest cut me 5 time 60 poles each 5 time 12 Cupids long dress them set on knobs bring them to me and load them on the boat the king is able to go cut long punting poles in order to move the boat through the deadly Waters without touching them after he creates the poles they board the boat and Gilgamesh one pole at a time pushes the boat forward as far as the pole will allow until he simply drops it into the water so as not to touch any of the Water by pulling the punting pole back up however they eventually ran out of poles and Gilgamesh stripped down using his massive body held his clothing up creating a type of cell out of his body and clothing ultimately however gilgames was able to Traverse the Waters of death as urabi and Gilgamesh approached utnapishtim the flood survivors puzzled concerning who is approaching why have the stone charms belonging to the boat been smashed and not one its Master embarked thereon he who comes here is no man of mine but at his right my man is standing I can see that he is no man of mine I can see that he is no God I can see that 2third of him is divine 1/3 is human when they arrive games explains to utnapishtim why he roams the step and is seeking eternal life I said to myself I will go to utnapishtim the distant one of whom they tell but utnapishtim sees his actions as foolish he has been blessed greatly by the gods why does he roam around wearing himself out to no end you strive ceaselessly what do you gain when you wear out your strength in ceaseless striving when you torture your limbs with pain you hasten the end of your days mankind whose descendants are snapped off like reads in a cane break the handsome young man the lovely young woman death will robe them all too soon no one sees death no one sees the face of death no one hears the voice of death but cruel death cuts off mankind Gilgamesh responds that he and utap pisham are not so different how did he gain eternal life as I look upon on you utap pish him your limbs are not different you are just as I am indeed you are not different at all you are just as I am you then how did you join the ranks of the Gods and find eternal life it is here that utnapishtim reveals that his immortality came as a result of the worldwide flood that he was chosen to survive I will reveal To You O goesh A Secret matter and a mystery of the Gods I will tell you the city shupac a city yourself have knowledge of which once was set on the bank of the Euphrates that same city was ancient and gods once were within it the great Gods resolved to send the delu all of the Gods swore an oath that they would not tell the humans about their decision to destroy all Humanity however the god AA who determined to save some humans came up with a plan that would allow him to keep his oath to the gods but still save a handful of humans their leader AA was sworn with them he repeated their plans to the reed fence reed fence reed fence wall listen oh reed fence pay attention o wall brilliant AO was forbidden to tell any human but he was is not restricted from telling a readence about the destructive plans of the Gods if by chance a human was within earshot that was not A's fault a speaks the following words to the read fence oh man of shupac son of ubar tutu wreck house build boat forsake possessions and seek life belongings reject and life Dave take aboard the boat seed of all living thing utap pisham asks what he should tell the people Aya responds then you shall speak to them thus I am sure that enlil has come to dislike me I shall not dwell in your city I shall not even set my food on the dry land of Eno I shall descend to the watery depths and dwell with my Lord AA upon you he shall shower down in abundance a windfall of birds a cries of fishes he shall pour upon you a harvest of riches in the morning cakes and Spates in the evening grains in rains the people of the city were thus tricked into helping utap pishon build the boat and he prepares a great feast for them finally the time came for him to board the boat whatever I had loaded up upon her what silver I had loaded upon her what gold I had loaded upon her I sit up on board all my family and kin Beasts of the step wild animals of the step all types of skilled Craftsmen I sent up on board then came the Storm at the first glimmer of dawn a black cloud Rose Over the Horizon inside it aad was thundering while the destroying gods schul and Hanish went in front ad dad's awesome power passed over the heavens whatever was bright was turned into Gloom he charged over the land like an ox he smashed smashed it like a clay pot for one day the storm wind blew swiftly it blew the flood came forth the onslaught passed over the people like a battle no one could see the one next to him people could not recognize each other in the downpour the intensity of the storm was great enough even to terrify the gods themselves the gods became frightened of the Deluge they shrank back went up to anu's highest Heaven the Gods cowered like dogs slinking in the open Bel let El lamented how could I have spoken up for an evil deed in the Assembly of the Gods and spoken up for an attack to destroy my people it is I who bring them into the world they are my people now like so many fish they choke up the sea the storm continued for 6 days and seven nights then came to an end on the seventh day surveying what had happened utap pisham said I looked at the weather Stillness rained and the whole human race had turned into clay he weeps for for the death and destruction then looks around and sees land coming into view the boat had come to rest on Mount nush Mount nush held the boat fast not letting it move for 6 days he waited anchored to mount nush then investigated how much the water had receded when the seventh day arrived I brought out a dove and set it free the dove soared off in search of food no Landing Place appeared for it so it came back I brought out a swallow and set it free the swallow sword off in search of food no Landing Place appeared to it so it came back I brought out a raven and set it free The Raven sword off and saw the ebbing of the waters it ate scratched and bobbed its head so it did not come back it was time to disembark utnapishtim came off the ark and made offerings to the gods the gods smelt the Savor the gods smelled the sweet saver the gods crowded around the sacrificer like flies B El speak to the other gods holding out a necklace as a symbol oh Gods these shall be my lapis necklace lest I forget I shall be mindful of these days and not forget not ever the god should come to the incense offering but inil should not come to the incense offering because he brought the flood without thinking and marked my people for Destruction enlil arrives and is enraged from where has a living creature escaped no man was to survive destruction quickly becomes a clear that Aya is responsible and he pulls no punches with enlil you o Valiant one the wisest of the Gods how could you have brought on the flood without thinking punish the wrongdoer for his wrongdoing punish the transgressor for his transgression he charges enl with wrongdoing himself but leaves it to enlil to decide what to do with utap pish him then enlil came up into the boat leading me by my hands he brought me out he brought out my wife had her kneel beside me he touched our brows stood between us to bless us hither to utnapishtim has been a human being now utnapishtim and his wife shall become like us Gods utap pisham shall dwell for distant at the mouth of the rivers from that day forward the Survivor of the flood had been set far reaches of the world there to live forever but this brings UT pisum back to Gilgamesh this was how he gained eternal life but what about Gilgamesh now then who will convene the gods for your sake that you may find the eternal life you seek the answer no one to show that impossible position gilgames was in in his attempt to defeat death he issues the king a challenge can he even defeat sleep come now try not to sleep for 6 days and seven nights nights if he wouldn't be able to even defeat sleep how much less death itself as Gilgamesh sat there on his hones sleep was swirling over him like a Mist UTA pitched him said to her to his wife behold this fellow who wanted eternal life sleep swirls over him like a Mist his wife implores utnapishtim to wake him and send him on his way but utap pish him fears that Gilgamesh will not believe that he has actually fallen asleep since the human race is duplicitous he'll Endeavor to dupe you come now bake his daily loaves put them one after another by his head then marked the wall for each day he has slept the plan was to bake a loaf of bread each day that gilam mlep as a sort of visual timekeeping device when he awoke and saw all the moldy and stale loaves of bread he would be able to see that he had slept for quite some time when gooes awakes as UT pissed him predicted he tried to say he hadn't slept for more than a moment scarcely had sleep stolen over me when straight away you touched me and roused me pointing to the seven loaves of bread however UTA pish him was able to demonstrate how long he had been asleep games lament how should I carry on UTA pish him wherever should I go now that the bever has taken hold of My Flesh death lurks in my bed chamber and wherever I turn there is death gilam mesh then cleans himself up and the King prepares to return to Uruk utnapishtim's wife however asked her husband to tell the king about the secret plant of life I will reveal To You O gamesh A Secret matter and a mystery of the Gods I will tell you there is a certain plant it's shaped like a thorn bush its thorns are like the Wild Rose and will prick your hand if you can secure this plant when you eat it you will return to how you were in your youth thrilled at such news Gilgamesh ties stones to his feet and plunges into the waters in search of the plant success he finds the plant urabi this plant is a cure for heartache whereby a man can regain his Vitality I will take it to ramp parted irk I will have an old man eat some and so test the plant he then embarks on the long journey home eager to test out the plant on an aging old man from his City on their way back gilgames stops by a pool of water to take a bath he went down into it to bathe in the water a snake caught the scent of the plant stealthily it came up and carried the plant away on its way back it shed its skin no Gilgamesh had immortality in his hand and it was taken away by a snake thereupon Gilgamesh sat down weeping his tears streaming down his face he said to urabi The Boatman for whom urshanabi have my arms been toiling for whom has my heart's blood been poured out for myself I have obtained no benefit I have done a good deed for a reptile at the very end of the Epic Gilgamesh makes it back to erk quite intentionally the writer ends the story in the same way that he began it Gilgamesh said to him to urabi The Boatman go up urabi pace out the walls of er study the foundation Terrace and examine the brick work is not its masonry of kilf fired brick and did not seven Masters lay its foundations one square mile of City one square mile of gardens one square mile of clay pits a half square mile of ishtar's dwelling 3 and2 square miles is the measure of UK although this may seem like an odd place to end the story by closing the Epic so similarly to how it began it employed a literary device that brings the reader back to the beginning of the story to begin it again the Epic in some ways continues on indefinitely and this was the message of the story itself games did indeed discover how to gain a type of immortality by having his story told again and again he finally realized that although he could not live forever in his mortal body his deeds his achievements and the memory of his Works would bring about a type of eternal life for the king of erk Gilgamesh and the Bible now that you know the gist of the Epic of gilgames we should discuss a bit of history and some interesting Elements which overlap with the Bible shortly after beginning his escavation at Nimrod Austin Henry layered uncovered the first of eight Assyrian palaces dating from the 99th to 7th centuries BCE at Nimrod and Nineveh he and his assistant marveled at Rooms adorned with stone Bara depicting demons Gods battles and Royal ceremonies as well as doorways guarded by giant wied bulls and lions they also discovered tens of thousands of caor inscribed clay tablets the ancient libraries of Assyrian Kings like sarib and Asher banipal though layard's methods were more akin to Treasure hunting than modern archaeology his efforts unveiled a major Mesopotamian civilization under challenging conditions many of layard's most dramatic finds were sent to the British museum captivating Victorian audiences with their connections to Biblical history by the early 1850s advancements in deciphering a Syrian Babylonian CA form linked the artifacts to historical figures and events including juu the 9th century B.C king of Israel and sarib Siege of Lish layard's book Nineveh and its remains 1849 was held as a Monumental achievement and celebrated widely the name Acadian is derived from the city state of accad near present day Baghdad founded in the middle of the third millennium BCE and capital of one of the first great empires in human history by 2000 BCE Acadian had supplanted Sumerian as the major spoken language of Mesopotamia and around this time it split into two dialects Babylonian which was spoken in southern Mesopotamia and ass Syrian which was spoken in the North in his 1876 work the Chalan account of Genesis George Smith describes a pivotal moment during his research upon examining the third column of a text he identifies a speech made by the delu hero which he initially attributed to a figure named e zubar later understood to be Gilgamesh although his initial interpretation of the kuna form was incorrect recalling a related legend about ubar Smith Compares and confirms its connection to the same narrative Series this Insight propels him into an exhaustive search among thousands of fragmented tablets despite the fragments being minute and often indecipherable his determination pays off as he manages to uncover additional pieces of the adbar Legends a task both arduous and fruitful these discoveries shocked the world with a much earlier version of the flood myth than that of Noah much more can be said of its Discovery in subsequent discoveries but let's go over some parallels to the Bible the contexts are different but the overlap is enough to seriously consider we find stories with immortality hanging over the mortal's head like a missile toone a garden where the gods dwell near or on mountains and even create Wild Man from a pinch of clay who dwells with animals until a woman comes along and tames his wild nature making him civil stories where tests of morality take central place from taking advantage of women and two men fall in love with one another becoming best friends we have stories with Divine judgment on the Civilized cities and snakes taking the symbol of rebirth or eternal life away from the man these stories share so many elements that it's really hard not to think the Bible is giving a nod to the earlier epic of gamesh the most famous parallel between the Epic of gamesh and the Bible is the flood narrative key elements of the flood narratives Divine Communication in both stories a Divine figure communicates the imminent destruction to a chosen individual in the Epic of pgames the god AA or Inky warns UT nistam about the God's decision to send a flood to destroy Humanity in the Bible God warns Noah of his plan to flood the Earth due to the wickedness of humans both UT epistm and Noah are instructed to build a large boat UT pistan builds a cube-shaped Ark according to the God's measurements while Noah Builds an ark of specific dimensions as instructed by God both steill their arcs with pit these arcs are meant to preserve life both heroes are told to bring aboard their family and various animals this element highlights the theme of preservation and continuity of Life post catastrophe the flood itself is a cataclysmic event in both stories representing divine retribution but also a cleansing and a new beginning it lasts for several days and covers the earth wiping out all life except for those on the Ark in both accounts the hero's vessel lands upon a mountain after the waters begin to recede both Heroes release Birds to find out whether the water has retreated enough to reveal the land the sequence of birds and their actions particularly sending of a dove which eventually returns with a sign of New Life an olive branch in the Bible is remarkably similar post flood both narratives feature a form form of Covenant utnapishtim is granted immortality by the gods as a reward for his obedience and survival in Genesis God makes a covenant with Noah promising never to destroy the Earth with a flood again and gives a rainbow as a sign of this Covenant in both accounts the gods smell the sweet Aroma of the burnt offering and it softens their wrath when the Great Gods decide to send the flood two lines that occur later in tablet 11 imply that the in L's motivation was to punish men's evildoing do not allow all men to die because of the sins of some like punish the guilty but not the innocent in this it resembles the Noah story both in the J version and in the P version now when the Lord saw how great the evil of humans was and how every impulse in their hearts was nothing but Evil all the time he was sorry that he had made humans on the earth and he was pained in his heart and he said I will destroy all humankind from the earth I am sorry I ever made them Genesis 657 and the Earth was exceedingly corrupt and filled with violence and when God saw how corrupt the Earth was and how corrupt humankind had become on the earth God said to Noah I am going to put an end to humankind for the Earth is filled with violence because of them I'm going to blot them out from the earth Genesis 6 11 or 13 the atrasis however in its sublimely ridiculous way provides the following motivation the Earth was too full the People Too numerous the land was bellowing like a wild bull enil said to the other great Gods the noise of humans has become too loud their constant uproar is keeping me awake slippery snakes Gilgamesh and the plant of Rejuvenation in the Epic of gilgames after a long and perilous Quest Gilgamesh obtains a plant that has the power to restore youth the plant represents a tangible form of immortality a chance for gilgames to bring back something of Eternal value to his people however while gogames bathes a snake steals the plant consumes it and immediately sheds its skin symbolizing its own renewal and rebirth this incident highlights The elusive nature of mortality for humans and the natural cycle of renewal that some creatures like the snake possess the snake's role here is almost trickster like though it acts more as a force of nature that inadvertedly teaches gilgames a lesson about the human condition and the inevitability of aging and death Adam Eve and the serpent in the Genesis narrative the serpent is depicted as a cunning creature that tempts Eve to eat from The Forbidden tree of knowledge of Good and Evil contrary to God's direct command the Serpent's role is more explicitly malevolent compared to its neutral natural role in gilgames it represents Disobedience and the introduction of sin into the World by convincing Eve to eat the fruit the serpent sets into motion the events that lead to the expulsion of Adam and Eve from Eden and the Divine pronouncement that humans will not have access to the Tree of Life thus denying them immortality in this story The Serpent is a catalyst for knowledge and the complex moral and ethical lives that Adam and Eve will now lead which includes an awareness of mortality I'm reminded of the adapa myth where he goes to meet Anu and engages with the serpent dragon deity ningishzida check out some of the images of this deity ningishzida Divine gens both texts reference Lush Divine Gardens in the Epic of gamesh there's a mention of Gardens of the Gods filled with jewels and plants the Bible describes the Garden of Eden a perfect place created by God with every kind of beautiful and fruitful tree you were in the garden The Garden of God every precious stone was your covering the Ruby the topaz and the diamond the barrel the onx and the Jasper the lapis lazuli the turquoise and the emerald and the gold the Workman ship of your settings and sockets was in you on the day that you were created they were prepared divine retribution and catastrophes both texts contain themes of divine retribution leading to catastrophic events for instance the flood narrative in both Traditions is a Divine response to human wickedness or loudness additionally in the Epic of Gilgamesh the city of irk faces the Wrath of the Gods through various events similar to the destruction of cities like Sodom and gomorah in the Bible due to their inhabitants immorality inkyo and the animals in the Epic of Gilgamesh inkyu is initially described as a Wild Man created by the gods from clay to be a counterpart for Gilgamesh he lives among the animals in the wilderness drinking at the water holes with the gazel and freeing animals from traps set by hunters inyu is completely integrated with the Animal World until his human qualities are awakened by a woman Adam and the animals in the Bible Adam is the first man created by God from the dust of the ground before the creation of Eve Adam is placed in the Garden of Eden C with naming all the animals this establishes his dominion over them but also underscores his initial companionship with them indicating a harmonious existence within the animal Kingdom once Eve comes on the scene Adam doesn't appear to be a companion of the animals anymore for both characters the introduction of a woman marked a pivotal Turning Point inu's transition from his wild state begins when he encounters shamhat a temple prostitute sent by the gods after spending time with shamhat inkyu becomes aware of his own Humanity this interaction leads him to leave the Wilderness for human civilization fundament mentally changing his life and Destiny similarly Adam's solitary existence changes when God creates Eve from one of his ribs Eve is introduced as a companion for Adam marking the beginning of his human society so to speak her creation is pivotal for The Narrative of human development and moral challenges much like sham Hat's role in awaking inkid Do's humanity and leading him to a new phase of life now inkyu you know what it is to be with a woman to unite with her you are beautiful you are like a god literally you are handsome inkyo you are like a god the context seems to indicate understanding rather than Beauty one can't help comparing the words of the serpent in the Garden of Eden as soon as you eat from it your eyes will be opened and you will be like Gods knowing good and evil Genesis 3:5 Gilgamesh loves inkyu and David loves Jonathan the relationship Dynamics between Gilgamesh and inkyu in the Epic of Gilgamesh and David and Jonathan in the Hebrew Bible have often been explored by Scholars for their deep emotional bonds which some interpret as having homoerotic undertones both pairs share intense and intimate relationships that are Central to their perspective stories reflecting profound connections Beyond Simple friendship in the Epic of gamesh the relationship between gilgames and inkyu is one of the narrative's central elements inkyu is initially created by the gods as a rival to Gilgamesh but upon meeting they become close companions their friendship is depicted as deeply intimate and transformative particularly for Gilgamesh who Mourns inkid Do's death with profound grief that leads him on a quest for immortality their bond is described in terms that suggest a deep emotional and possibly physical intimacy they Embrace and kiss after their initial conflict Gilgamesh Grieves for inyu like a spouse using language that is typically reserved for the loss of a loved one in a conjugal sense gilgamesh's lament for inkyu is filled with an intensity that Echoes romantic or famal love in the Hebrew Bible the relationship between David and Jonathan is similarly characterized by deep emotional ties Jonathan the son of King Saul forms an immediate bond with David and their friendship becomes a defining part of both of their lives the biblical text contains several passages that highlight the depth of their connection Jonathan and David make a covenant because Jonathan loves him as his own soul 1 Samuel 18 1-3 Jonathan strips himself of his robe and armor to give to David symbolizing his loyalty and perhaps a deeper emotional bond upon learning of Jonathan's death David laments with a profound grief describing Jonathan's love as wonderful surpassing the love of women 2 Samuel 1:26 Jonathan and David kissed each other in a context where Jonathan's father Saul was trying to kill David death is prevalent theme in this as well as the Inyo relationship with Gilgamesh 1st Samuel 20:41 there are many subtle examples of comparisons with the Bible but we will just give one example Ecclesiastes 9 7-10 go eat your food with gladness and drink your wine with a joyful heart for God has already approved what you do always be clothed in white always anoint your head with oil enjoy life with your wife whom you love all the days of this this meaningless life that God has given you under the sun all your meaningless days for this is your lot in life and in your toil some labor Under the Sun whatever your hand finds to do do it with all your might for in the realm of the Dead where you are going there is neither working nor planning nor knowledge nor wisdom Epic Tablet 10 lines 82 to 92 as for you Gilgamesh let your stomach be full always be happy night and day make every day a delight night and day play and dance your clothes should be clean your head should be washed you should bathe in water look proudly on the little one holding your hand let your mate always be Blissful in your loins this then is the work of mankind he who is alive should be happy I personally don't find it fair that we need to use the Bible in order to make the Epic of gamesh popular or interesting to so many online after reading it for myself I can see exactly why the story would have influenced the biblical stories it's a no-brainer My Hope Is that you go read it for yourself and try to understand the depth it has to offer us today I hope more people will begin to cherish stories like this as much as others have cherished the Bible there are so many Rich narratives that have so much to offer us and this epic is that at the top of the list