TheEpicofGilgamesh

CoreDCompositionandLiteratureMrs.Nuñez’sClass

TheEpicofGilgamesh

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PROLOGUE

Hewhosaweverythinginthebroad‐bonedearth,andknewwhatwastobeknown

Whohadexperiencedwhattherewas,andhadbecomefamiliarwithallthings

He,towhomwisdomclunglikecloak,andwhodwelttogetherwithExistenceinHarmony

Heknewthesecretofthingsandlaidthembare.AndtoldofthosetimesbeforetheFlood

Inhiscity,Uruk,hemadethewalls,whichformedarampartstretchingon

AndthetemplecalledEanna,whichwasthehouseofAn,theSkyGod

AndalsoofInanna,GoddessofLoveandBattle

Lookatitevennow:wherecornicerunsonouterwallshiningbrilliantcopper‐see,

Thereisnoinnerwall;ithasnoequal.Touchthethreshold‐ancient.ApproachthepalacecalledEanna.

TherelivesInanna,GoddessofLoveandBattle.Nokingsincehasaccomplishedsuchdeeds.

Climbthatwall,goinUruk,walkthere,Isay,walkthere.

Seethefoundationterrace,touchthenthemasonry‐Isnotthisofburntbrick,Andgood?Isay;

Thesevensageslaiditsfoundation.Onethirdiscity;Onethirdisorchards;Onethirdisclaypits‐

Unbuilt‐onlandoftheInannaTemplesearchthesethreeparts,findthecoppertable‐box

Openit.Openitssecretfastening.Takeoutthelapis‐lazulitablet.Readaloudfromit.

ReadhowGilgameshfaredmanyhardships

Surpassingallkings,greatinrespect,alordinhisform

Heisthehero,HeisofUruk,He,thebuttingbull

HeleadstheWay,He,theForemost,Healsomarchesattherear,ahelpertohisbrothers

HeistheGreatNet,protectorofhismen.Heisthefuriousflood‐wave,

Whodestroysevenstonewalls.TheoffspringofLugulbanda,Gilgameshisperfectinstrength

ThesonofthereveredCow,ofthewomanRimat‐Ninsun.Gilgameshinspiresperfectawe.Heopened

themountainpasses,hedugthewellonthemountain'sflank.

Hecrossedtothefarshore,traversedthevastseatotherisingSun.Heexploredtherim,soughtlife

withoutdeath.ByhisstrengthhereachedZiusudratheFaraway

Hewhorestoredlivingthingstotheirplaces

ThosewhichtheFloodhaddestroyed

Amidsttheteemingpeoples,

Whoistheretocomparewithhiminkingship?

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WholikeGilgameshcansay:

'Iamkingindeed?'

HisnamewascalledGilgamesh

Fromtheverydayofhisbirth,

Hewastwo‐thirdsgod,onethirdman,

TheGreatGoddessArurudesignedhim,plannedhisbody,preparedhisform

Aperfectbodythegodsgave

ForthecreationofGilgamesh

ShamashtheSungavebeauty

AdadtheStormgavecourage

Andsohesurpassedallothers.

Hewastwo‐thirdsgod,onethirdman,

Theformofhisbodynoonecanmatch

Elevencubitshighheis,ninespanshischest

Asheturnstoseethelandsallaroundhim.

ButhecomestothecityofUruk.

Longwashisjourney,weary,worndownbyhislabors

Heinscribeduponastonewhenhereturned

Thisstory.

TheEpicofGilgamesh

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TABLETI

OutIwent,intotheworld,buttherewasnonebetter,nonewhomhe,Gilgamesh,couldnotbest.

Andso,withhisarms,hereturnedtoUruk.Butintheirhouses,themenofUrukmuttered:

'Gilgamesh,noisyGilgamesh!ArrogantGilgamesh!'

Allyoungmengone‐DefeatedbyGilgamesh,andnosonwaslefttohisfather.

AllyounggirlsmadewomenbyGilgamesh

Hislustsaresuch,andnovirginlefttoherlover!

Notthedaughterofawarrior,

Northewifeofanobleman!

Yetheiskingandshouldbe

Thepeople'scarefulshepherd.

Heiskingandshouldbe

Shepherdofthecity.

Heiswise,heishandsome,heisfirmasarock.

Inheaventhegodsheard

Heardthelamentofthepeople,

AndthegodscriedouttotheGreatGod,higherkingofUruk:

'StrongasawildbullisthisGilgamesh

SohewasmadebyAruru,thegoddess

Nonethereiswhocan‐notone

Nonewhocansurvivehiminfighting.

Nosonlefttohisfather.

Gilgamesh,hetakesthemall,andishe

Hetheking?Shepherdofthepeople?

Novirginlefttoherlover,Forhelustsstrongly!

No,northewifeofthenobleman!

TheGreatGodheardthis,then

TotheGoddessofCreation,Aruru‐

Criedallthegods:

'YoucreatedthisGilgamesh!Well,createhimhisequal!

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Lethimlookasintomirrors‐Giveasecondselftohim,yes;

Rushingwindsmeetrushingwinds!

Letthemflowhearttoheartagainst‐

Givethemeachothertofight,

LeavingUrukinpeace!'

SotheGoddessofCreationtookandformedinhermind

Thisimage,andthereitwasconceived‐

inhermind,anditwasmadeofmaterial

ThatcomposestheGreatGod,

HeoftheFirmament.

Shethenplungedherhandsdownintowaterandpinchedoffalittleclay.Sheletitdropinthe

wilderness

ThusthenobleEnkiduwasmade.ForthiswashetheverystrengthofNinurta,theGodofWar,washis

form,roughbodied,longhair,

Hishairwavedlikecornfilaments‐

Yes,likethehairofthatgoddess

Whoisthecorn,she,Nisaba.Mattedhairwasalloverhisbody,liketheskinsofthecattle.

Yes,likethebodyofthatgod.

Whoisthecattle,he,Samugan.

ThisEnkiduwasinnocentofmankind.

Heknewnotthecultivatedland.

Enkiduwasinthehills

Withthegazelles‐

Theyjostledeachother

Withalltheherds

Hetoolovedthewater‐hole.

Butonedaybyawaterhole

Atrappermethim

Yes,facetoface,

Becausetheherdsofwildgame

Hadstrayedintohisterritory.

Onthreedaysfacetoface‐

TheEpicofGilgamesh

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Eachdaythetrapperwasterrified,

Frozenstiffwithfear.

Withhisgamehewenthome,

Unabletospeak,numbwithfright.

Thetrapper'sfacealtered,new‐

Alongjourneydoesthattoone,

Givesanewvisageuponreturning‐

Thetrapper,hisheartallawe,toldhisfather:

'Father,whataman!Nootherlikehim!Hecomesfromthehills,strongestalive!

Astarinheavenhisstrength,

OfthestaressenceofAn,theSkyFather

Overthehillswiththebeasts

Eatinggrass

Rangesacrossallyourland,

Goestothewells.

Ifearhim,stayfaraway.

Hefillsinmypits

Tearsupmygametraps

Helpsthebeastsescape;

Nowallthegameslipsaway‐

Throughmyfingers.'

Hisfatheropenedhismouth,

Toldtheson,thetrapper:

'Myson,inUruklivesGilgamesh.

Nonecanwithstandhim,

Nonehassurpassedhim,

Asastarinheavenhisstrength

Ofthestar‐essenceofAn,theSkyFather.

GotoUruk,findGilgamesh

Praisethewildman'sstrengthaskforatemplehierodulefromtheTempleofLove,

Suchachildofpleasure;

Bringherandletherpowerofwoman

TheEpicofGilgamesh

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Subduethiswildman.

Whenhegoestothewells,

Hewillembracethepriestess

Andthewildbeastswillrejecthim.'

ToUrukthetrapperwent

AndsaidtoGilgamesh:

'Likenoother,wild,

Roaminginthepastures,

Astarinheavenhisstrength

Ofthestar‐essenceofAn,theSkyFather.

Iamafraid,stayfaraway;hehelpsthebeastsescape

Fillsinmypits

Tearsupmygametraps.'

Gilgameshsaid:

'Trapper,return,

Takeapriestess;whenhegoestothewells

Hewillembracethepriestess

Andthewildbeastswillrejecthim.'

Thenreturnedwiththehierodule

Andthreedaystothedrinkinghole,

Theresatdown

Hierodulefacingthetrapper,

Waitingforthegame.

Firstday,nothing.

Secondday,nothing.

Thirdday,yes.

Theherdscametodrink,andEnkidu‐

Gladforthewaterwerethesmallwildbeasts,

AndEnkiduwasgladforthewater‐

Heofthegazellesandwildgrass,

Borninthehills.

Thepriestesssawthisman

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Wildfromthehills.

'There,woman,'saidthetrapper,‘Thisishe,

Havenoshame,delaynot,Welcomehislove,

Teachhimthesavage,yourartofwoman,

Forashelearnstoloveyou,then

Thewildbeasts,hiscompanions,

Theywillrejecthim.'

Shedidasshewasbade,

Andaftersixdaysandsevennights,

Enkiduhadforgottenhishome

Hadforgottenthehills

Afterthattimehewassatisfied.

Thenhewentbacktothewildbeasts‐

Butthegazellessawhimandran,

Thewildbeastssawhimandran.

Enkiduwouldfollow,but

Wisdomwasinhim,

Thoughtsinhishear‐aman's.

Sohereturnedtothepriestess.

Atherfeethelistenedintently

'Youhavewisdom,Enkidu.

Nowyouareasagod.

Whythebeasts?Whythehills?

CometoUrukofthestrongwalls

ToInanna'sTempleofLove,

AndtotheEanna,

WheretheSkyGodAncanbefound.

Gilgameshisthere,strong,

Raginglikeawildbull,overall

Ishisstrength.'

Favorablyashespeaks,hehearsherwords.

Hecomestoknowhisownheart

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Andhisdesiretofindafriend.

Hetellsher,thepriestess:

'Takeme,girl,tothesacredpure

DwellingofLoveandSkyGod'shouse

WherelivesGilgameshofperfectstrength,

Hewhorageslikeabulloverall,

AndIwillsummonhimforthandchallengehim

AndIwillshoutinUruk:

"Iamthemightiest!

Yes,Icanchangetheorderofwhatis!

Anyonebornonthesteppeismightyandhasstrength"'

'Thenletusgothathemayseeyourface

AndIwillshowyouGilgamesh,forIknowwellwhereheis.

ComeEnkidu,toUrukoframparts,

Whereallaredressedforfestival,

Whereeachdayisafestival.

Toyou,Enkidu,ofjoyinlife

IwillshowGilgameshofjoyinlife

Seehim,seehisface

Radiantishismasculinity,offull‐bodiedvigor

Hisbodyexceptionallyfit,

Soexceedingyouinstrength,

Needingnosleepbydayorbynight.

Restrainyourfolly,Enkidu.

Gilgamesh‐ShamashtheSunisproud,

AlsoAn,theGodofFirmament,

AlsovaliantEnlil,hisson,

AndEnki,hissonalso‐

Allhavegivenwisdom.

Beforeyoucomefromtheopenplains

Gilgameshwillhavedreamedofit.'

AndsoGilgameshrosefromhisbed

TheEpicofGilgamesh

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Andtohismother,inrevealingdreams,said:

'Mother,Isawinadreamlastnight

Thattherewerestarsinheaven

Andastardescendeduponmelikeunto

TheessenceofAn,theSkyGod.

Itriedtoliftitup,butitwastooheavyforme,

Itriedtomoveit,butitwouldnotbemoved.

ThelandofUrukwasaroundit,

Thelandwasplacedroundaboutit.

Allthepeoplewerepressingtowardsit.

Allthenoblesalsocameroundit,

Andallmyfriendskisseditsfeet.

Iwasdrawntowardsitastoawoman

AndIlaiditatyourfeet

Andyousaiditwasmyequal.'

She,theWise,theCustodianofKnowledge,

Saystoherlord‐

She,Ninsun,CustodianofKnowledge,

SaystoGilgamesh:

'Yourequalwasastarofheaven

Whichdescendeduponyoulikeunto

TheessenceofAnwhohistheGodoftheFirmament

Youtriedtoliftitbutitwouldnotbemoved

AndIcalledityourequal,comparingittoyou.

Youweredrawntoitastoawoman.

Themeaningofthis

Isofastrongfriendwhosaveshiscompanion

Heisthestrongestoftheland;hehasstrength.

Asastarinheavenhisstrength,

ThestrengthofAnoftheFirmamentandhishost.

Sothatyouaredrawntohimoverwhelmingly.

Andthismeanshewillneverforsakeyou.

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Suchisyourdream.'

Gilgameshsaysagaintohismother:

'Mother,anotherdream

InUrukoftherampartslayanaxe‐

Allweregatheredaroundit,

Uruk‐landwasstandingroundaboutit.

Thepeoplepressedtowardsit;

Ilaiditatyourfeet.

Iwasdrawntoitastoawoman.

Foryoucalleditmyequal.'

She,theWiseCustodianofKnowledge,saystoherson‐

'Theaxeisaman

Youweredrawntoitastoawoman

ForIcalledityourequal

Anditwastorivalyou.

Thismeansastrongfriendstandingbyhisfriend

Heisthestrongestoftheland;hehasstrength.

TheessenceofAnoftheFirmament,ishis,

Sostrongishe.'

Gilgameshthenspoketohismother

'NowaccordingtothewordofGodEnli

Letacounselorandfriendcometome

ThatImayacquireacompanion

AndtohimIshallbefriendandcounseloralso.'

AndasGilgameshrevealedhisdream,

ThegirlwasspeakingtoEnkidu

Astheysattogether.

TheEpicofGilgamesh

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TABLETII

Aftersixdaysandsevennights

Thegirlsaidtohim,shesaidtoEnkidu:

'WhenIlookatyou,Enkidu,youseemtobelikeagod.

Whythewildbeasts?

Whytheroamingoverthesteppe?

Comewithme,CometorampartedUruk.

TheretheholytempleofEannawheretheGreatGodAnlives,

Comewithme,Enkidu,totheholydwelling

Tothetemple,SkyGod'shouse,

ForGilgameshofmaydeedslivesthere.

Youaresolikehim.

Youwilllovehimasyourself,riseupfromtheearth,cometoashepherd'sbed!'

Therecameuponhisheartthetruthofwhatshesaid.

Heheardherwordsandtheyweregood.

Shedividedherclothingintwo,

Onegarmentforhim,oneforher

Holdinghishandsheledhim

Ledhimlikeachild.

Andtheycametothehutoftheshepherds

Whichisinthesheepfold.

Alltheshepherdsgatheredroundhim,

Pressedroundhim,weredrawntohim

Throngedroundthewildman.

Ofherinstructionthepriestessisproud;

ThisisamanwhoislikeGilgameshinform,

Tallerheisinform,

Hewasborninthemountains,

Andlikethestar‐essenceoftheSkyFatherAn,hisstrengthismorepowerful.

AndEnkidusatattheirtable

Thathemighteatoftheirproduce.

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Butheknewthemilkofwildcreatures,

Bywhichhewassuckledinthewilds.

Theshepherdsplacedtheirownfoodbeforehim,and

Hechoked,helooked,

Hestaredatit,atthem.

Enkiduknowsnothingofthis,

Heknowsnoteatingfood,

Whatisthisdrink?Thisstrongdrink?Hehasnotbeentaughtit.

Breadwassetbeforehim‐heknowsitnot.

Beerwassetbeforehim‐heknowsitnot.

Enkidudidnoteatbread,

Hesqueezedhiseyestogether.

Thegirlthenspoke;

ShesaidtoEnkidu:

'Enkidu,eatthatfood.Drinkthisstrongdrink.

Itiswhatisdonehere.'

SoEnkiduatethefood,

Ateuntilhewasfull.

Hedrankthatstrongdrink

Sevencupsofit(1).

Hefeltsofree,hefeltsohappy,

Herejoicedsoinhisheart!

Hisfacebecameradiant.

Herubbedalltheshaggygrowth,

Thehairofhisbody.

Heanointedhimselfwithoil

Andthushebecameaman.

Hedonnedclothing‐

Look!Heislikeaman!

Hetakesuphisweapon,

Heattacksthelions

Sotheshepherdsmighthavepeaceatnight.

TheEpicofGilgamesh

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Hecaughtwolves,Hecapturedlions,

Andthechiefcattlemencouldrest.

Enkiduwastheirwatchman,

Amanofstrength,

Anunparalledhero!

Totheshepherdshesaid:

'Iamamannow.

Icaneatbreadatthetable,

Icandrinkstrongdrink.

ButIhavethestrengthofhewhoroamsthesteppe.

Iamstrongerthanyou.

Nooneisstronger.

YouseeIcatchwolves,

YouseeIcapturelions.

Becauseofmetheshepherdscanrestatnight,

Becauseofmethechiefcattlemencanliedown.

Iambecomethekingofthesheepfold.'

AndEnkidusatatthetable,

Heatethefood,hedrankthestrongdrink

Hefeltgoodinhisheart.

Hemademerry,thenhelookedupandsawaman.

Hetoldthegirl:

'Girl,bringtheman.Whyishehere?Imustknowhisname!'

Thegirlcalledtheman,wenttohim,saidtohim,

'Sir,whereareyougoing?Whyhaveyoutakenthis,yourdifficultcourse?'

Themanspoke,spoketoEnkidu,

'Intothepeople'sspecialplace,theirveryownmeeting‐house,

Evenintoithasheintruded!Setasiderulesandlawsforwedlock!

Onthecityheheapedshame!Strangepracticeshehasimposeduponacityhelplesstoresist.

Thegodshaveordainedthisintheirwisdom,bytheirwill.

Itwassodecreedfromthemomentofbirthwhenhisumbilicalcordwascutout.'

Attheman’swordsthefaceofEnkidupaled.

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Furygrewwithinhisheart;hiseyesbecamefrightfultolookupon

Enkiduspokehisanger,saidtotheman:

'Thiscannotcontinuetobe!IwillgotorampartedUruk.

IwillmeetGilgameshIwillbringhisexcessestoanend!'

EnkidusetoutforUruk;Enkiduwalkedinfront,thegirlwalkedbehind.

WhenheenteredrampartedUruk,thepeoplethrongedroundhim.

Whenhestoppedinthestreet,inUrukoftheramparts,sayingofhim:

'HeislikeGilgameshinform!Heissmallerinsize,butstrongerinbone.

HeisamatchforGilgamesh!Heisthestrongestofthesteppe,strengthishis,

TherewillbeendlessclashofarmsinUruk!'

Thenoblesrejoiced,'Hereisaheroforallwhoarehonorable!

TomatchdivineGilgamesh,hereishisequal!'

NowGilgameshiscomingalong,butEnkiduappearsinthestreetandbarshisway.

ToGilgameshisopposedthemightofEnkidu.

ThedivineGilgameshisfacetofacewithhisequal,Enkiduofthesteppes.

ThekingoframpartedUrukseeshisequal,whohasstrength,

Smallerinsize,butstrongerofbone,likeuntoGilgameshtothehair.

Gilgameshseeshisshaggygrowth‐Onthesteppethegrasssproutsinasmuchabundance.

Gilgameshdrewhimselfupandstoodbeforehiminthemarket‐placeofUruk.

Itwastheretheymet,andEnkidublockedthegatewithhisfootandwouldnotletGilgameshenter.

Theygrappledtheirbeltsandwrestledlikechampions,rushingwindmeetsrushingwind,

Hearttoheartagainst‐holdingfastlikebulls.

Theyshatteredabsolutelythedoorpostoftheholygate,andthewallshookwiththisfatefulact.

Theyfoughtinthestreet,theybattledinthemarket.

Butintheend,broughtEnkidutotheearth,hisownfootstillontheground,andwonthecontest.

Gilgamesh’sangervanished,heturnedaway,butwhenheturnedawayEnkidusaidtohim,

SpoketoGilgamesh,'Asonesingleanduniqueyourmotherboreyou,

Youareraisedaboveallmen,youarekingofthepeoplebydecree

OfEnlil,sonoftheGreatGodAn!'

NOTESONTABLETII

1.Sevencupsorsevenjugsaresymbolic,representingthesacrednumberoftheseveninitiatory

planets.

TheEpicofGilgamesh

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TABLETIII

[EnkiducontinuestospeaktoGilgamesh]

'Yourstrengthsurpassesmyown,

Forwhydoyoulordlikeawildbull

OverthepeopleoframpartedUruk?

Areyounottheking,Shepherdofthepeople?

Gilgameshanswered,spoketoEnkidu:

'Noonebeforeopposedmystrength,nowIhavefoundaworthycompanion.

TogetherwecouldgototheCedarForest.'

EnkidupuzzledsaidtoGilgamesh:

'Whydoyouwishtodosuchathing?Itisaverylongjourney

Todowhatyousay,togodowntotheCedarForest.

Iwilltakeamessageforyou.'

Theykissedoneanotherasbrothersandformedafriendship.

GilgameshspoketoEnkidu,saidtohim,

'Ohmyfriend,Ihavealwayswanted

ToclimbCedarmountain(1).

TheredwellsfierceHumbabawhoisevilandfearsometolookupon.

Iwishtoslayhimandbanishwhatisevilfromtheland.

ButhelivesintheCedarForestandIknownottheway.'

[Herealargeportionislost]

ThemotherofGilgamesh,whoknowsall,

RaisesherhandstoShamashtheSun

[Heretenmorelinesarelost]

Enkidu'seyesbrimtears,sicktotheheart

Bittersighs,

Yes,hiseyesbrimtears

Sicktoheartandbittersighs.

Gilgamesh,understanding,saystoEnkidu:

'Myfriend,whyeyesbrimmingtears?Sicktoheart?Suchbittersighs?'

EnkidusaidtoGilgamesh,toldhim:

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'Myfriend,acrychokesme,constrictsmyneckveins,

Myarmsarelimp,mystrengthgoneintoweakness'.

GilgameshspoketoEnkidu,saidtohim:

[Herefourorfivelinesarelost.]

'IntheforestterribleHumbabalives.Letus,youandI,slayhim,andbanishallthatisevilfromtheland!'

[Herefourlinesarelost.]

Enkiduspoke,saidtoGilgamesh:

'Myfriend,IfounditoutwhenIwasrangingforthoverthesteppe,

Runningwiththewildbeasts,fortenthousanddouble‐hourstheforeststretches,

Extendingineverydirection.

Whocouldtherepossiblybetogodownintothisplace?

AndHumbaba‐hisroaringistheGreatFlood,hismouthisfire,hisbreathisdeath!

Whydoyouwishtodosuchathing?WearenomatchtofightfierceHumbaba!'

Gilgameshspoke,sayingtoEnkidu,

'IwillclimbtheCedarMountain!'

[Heresevenlinesarelost.]

EnkiduspoketoGilgamesh,saidtohim,

'ButhowcanwegototheCedarForest?DreadWerisitsguardian,whosleepsnotatallandisstrong.

Humbaba‐Werishis.....[apartiallineislosthere]

Adadthestormishisvoice,hehasthebreathofdeath.

HewasappointedguardianoftheCedarForestbyEnlil,sonofAn,theGreatGod,toterrifyallmortals.

Humbaba‐hisroaringistheGreatFlood.

Hismouthisfire,hisbreathisdeath!

Atsixtydouble‐hourshehearseverywildcowintheforest.

Whocangodownintohisforest?

Enlilappointedhimtobeguard,towatchthecedars,terrifymortals,

WeaknessgripsonewhogoesdownintotheCedarForest.'

GilgameshspoketoEnkidu,saidtohim,

'Whocanclimbintoheaven,myfriend?ImmortalundertheSunarethegodsalone,

Asformortalstheirdaysmustend‐whattheyachieveisbutthewind!

Evennowyoufeardeath.Whereisyourhero'sstrength?

Iwillleadyou,then.Youmaycalltome:'Advance,fearnot!'

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IfIfall,Ishallhavemademyname:

"Gilgamesh",theywillsay,"againstfierceHumbabahasfallen!"andlongafter,

MydescendantsborninmyhouseshallhonormynameasonewhostruggledagainstfierceHumbaba

AndfellinfightingonCedarMountain.

Speakingasyouhave,youhavegrievedme.

Iwillreadymyhand,

Iwillfellthecedartrees,

Iwillmakemynameanamethatendures!

Iwillcommissionthesmith

Tocastweaponsforus.'

Andtheycommissionedthesmith;

Theartisanssatdowntodiscussit.

Theycastmightyaxes,theycastaxesofthreetalentseach‐

Andatalentcontainssixtyminas!

Theycastmightyswords‐thebladesweretwotalentseach,

Theknobsontheirsheathsthirtyminaseach,thehandlesoftheswords

Thirtyminasofgoldeach;GilgameshandEnkiduwerebothladenwithtentalentsapiece.

AtthegreatgateofUrukwithitssevenboltsgatheredallofthepeople.

ThereinthestreetandmarketoframpartedUruk

StoodmightyGilgamesh,KingofUrukoftheramparts,thepeopleallsatdownbeforehim.

Gilgameshspoketothem,saying,

'OthoupeopleoframpartedUruk,IamgoingonajourneytotheForestofCedars,

Himofwhomtheyspeak,atwhosenamealllandstremble,

I,Gilgamesh,willsee.

IwillconquerhimintheCedarForest!

Iwillspreadabroadamongalllands

HowstrongaretheprogenyofUruk!

Iwillraisemyhandandcutdownthecedars!

Iwillmakemynameanamethatendures!'

TheeldersoframpartedUrukrepliedtoGilgamesh,saidtohim:

'Youareveryyoung,Gilgamesh,

Yourhearthassweptawayyourreason.

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Youhavenoknowledgeofwhatisinvolved

WearetoldthatHumbabaisstrangetoseeandterrifying.

Whocanpossiblywithstandhisweapons?

Fortenthousanddouble‐hoursineverydirection

Extendshisgreatforest.

Whowouldgodownintosuchaplace?

Humbaba‐hisroaringistheGreatFlood.

Hismouthisfire,hisbreathisdeath!

Whydoyouwishtodosuchathing?'

NooneisamatchtostrugglewithHumbaba.'

WhenGilgameshheardthesewordsofhisadvisers,

Helookedround,smilingtohisfriend:

'Now,myfriend,thusdotheytrembleandfeareventospeakoffierceHumbaba.

OEnkidu,togetherwecanfacehiminhisgreatforestofcedars,andgainrenown.

OeldersofUruk,IgowithmyfriendEnkidu,heofthesteppewhohasstrength.

TogetherwewillfacefierceHumbaba.'

TheeldersansweredGilgameshandsaid:

'Maytheyowngodprotectthee

Mayheleadtheebacksafelyalongtheroad

MayhebringtheebacktothequayofUruk.'

GilgameshthenfelldownbeforeShamashtheSunandspokethesewords:

'Igo,oShamash,myhandsraisedinprayer;

Blessthefuturewell‐beingofmysoul.

BringmebacksafelytothequayofUruk,andcausethyprotectiontobeestablishedoverme.'

Gilgameshcalledhisfriendandinspectedhisomen.

[Heresevenlinesarelost.Theomen,whichwouldhavebeenreadfromtheliver,gallbladderand

intestinesofasacrificiallambmusthavebeenunfavorable:]

TearsrandownthefaceofGilgamesh.

'ImusttravelaroadIhavenevertravelled,ImustfollowawayIknownot.

ButIknowIshouldfarewell,andIdepartwithajoyfulheart.

MaytheblessingsoftheGreatgodsbeuponme!Theywhoareontheircelestialthrones.'

Andthenwerebroughttohimhisweapons,thosemightyswords,quiverandbow,

TheEpicofGilgamesh

Page|19

Allplacedinhishands,Hetooktheaxes,and,withhisquiver,thebowofAnshan

Intohisgirdleheputhisswordthattheymightdepart.

ThepeoplepressedaroundGilgameshcheering,

'BythewillofGodmayyoureturntothecity!'

TheelderspaidhomageandcounseledGilgameshconcerninghisjourney:

'Trustnotyourstrengthalone!Bewaryandalert,onguard.LetEnkiduwalkbeforeyou.

Hehasseentheway,hastravelledtheroad.

Hewholeadsthewaysaveshiscompanion,

Hewhoknowsthepathprotectshisfriend.

Enkiduhasseencombat,knowsit,knowsthewaytotheCedarForest.

Overtheobstaclesandditcheswillhecarryyou.

LethimpenetrateandslipthroughallthepassesoftheforestofHumbaba.

MayShamashgrantyourwish,

Mayheshowyouofwhatyouspeak.

Mayheopentheunopenedpathforyou,

Unbartheroadforyourcoming;uncloseforyouthefootofthemountain!

Mayyournightsbringyoudelights,

AndmayLugulbandastandbyyou,

Mayhestandbyyourwish!

Mayyouattainyourwishasdoesachild!

AfterslayingHumbaba,whichyouareattempting,washthenyourfeet.

Whentimetorestatnight,digawell‐

Maythewaterofyourwater‐skinbeeverpure!‐andoffercoolwatertoShamash.

AndbeevermindfulofLugulbanda!

Enkidu,wetheAssemblyentrustourkingtoyou.Doyoudeliverhimbacktous!'

GilgameshspoketoEnkidu,saidtohim,

'Up,myfriend,letusgototheGreatPalacetoseeNinsun,theGreatQueen,

NinsuntheWise,whohasknowledgeofeverythingwillmakewiseourfeetintheircourse.'

GilgameshandEnkiduwenttotheGreatPalace,toseeNinsun,theGreatQueen.

Gilgameshsteppedforwardonenteringthepalace:

'ONinsun,ImakeboldtodepartonagreatjourneytotheplaceofHumbaba,

Imustfacebattlestrangetome,travelaroadunknowntome.

TheEpicofGilgamesh

Page|20

UntilIcanreturn,untilIcometotheCedarForest,

Andbanishallthatisevilfromtheland,allthatishatefultoShamash,

DopraytoShamashonmybehalf.'

[Hereseverallinesarelost]

Ninsunenteredherchamber

[Hereonelineislost]

Shedonnedagarmentsuitabletoherbody

Alsoanornamentappropriateforherneck,

Placedhertiaraonherhead,wentoutintothegrounds,

Climbedthestairs,ascendedtheparapet,attainedtheroofandtheredidofferup

ToShamashtheSunmuchincense.

Withthissmoke‐offeringinprogresssheraisedherhandstoShamash:

'HavinggrantedmeasmysonGilgamesh,whyhavethenhaveyougivenmyhimsucharestlessheart?

WhyhaveyoumadehimwishtogoonaGreatJourneytotheplaceofHumbaba?

Tofaceabattlestrangetohim?

Totravelaroadunknowntohim?

Untilthedayhecanreturn,untilhereachestheCedarForest,

SlaysthefierceHumbabaandbanishesfromthelandallthatisevilwhichyouhate,

Inthedayhourswhenyoushineforth,mayAyayourbridefearyounotandkeepyoumindful

Andmayshealsocommendhimtothosewhowatchoverthehoursofthenight!

[Heremanylinesarelost]

Sheputoutincense,chantingaspell.

ThenshesummonedEnkidutoimparthimthismessage:

'MightyEnkidu,youwhocamenotfrommywomb,Ihavenowadoptedyou,

AshavethedevoteesofGilgamesh.

AndaroundtheneckofEnkidusheplaced....

[Theremainderofthislineandseveralothersarecompletelylost.InallprobabilityNinsunplaceda

protectiveamuletaroundEnkidu'sneck.Whenthetextresumesagain,GilgameshandEnkiduarewith

theeldersandabouttodepart.]

'LetEnkiduprotectthefriend,safeguardthecompanion,lethimcarryhimthroughthepitfalls!

We,theAssembly,entrusttoyouourking.

Doyoudeliverhimbacktous!'

TheEpicofGilgamesh

Page|21

EnkiduthenspoketoGilgamesh,saidtohim,

'Sinceyouaredetermineduponthestruggle,thencomeaway.

Letyourheartnotbetroubledandfollowme.

Myfriend,turnnotawayfromthejourney.

Awaynotknowntoyou;YouneedholdnofearswhenIshallleadyou.

IntheCedarForestIknowthedwellingplaceandalsotheroadwhichHumbabatravels.'

[Heresevenlinesarelost]

Whentheeldershadheardthisspeechofhis

Theysenttheheroonhisway,saying

'Go,Gilgamesh‐mayShamashgrantyourwish,andmayyourGodbeatyourside.'

NOTESONTABLETIII

1.CedarmountainandCedarForestareamixtureofthemythicalandreal.Theirgeographicallocation

isasubjectofhotdisputeamongscholars;onestrongpossibilityisLebanon,thoughnoteveryone

agreesonthis.

TheEpicofGilgamesh

Page|22

TABLETIV[Mostofthistabletismutilatedandlost.]

Aftertwentyleaguestheybrokeoffamorsel.

Afterthirtymore,theyrestedforthenight.

Fiftyweretheleagueswhichtheytrodinaday.

[Therestofthecolumnismissing.Afteramissingportionofthenextcolumn,thetextrecommences.]

Aftertwentyintervalstheybrokeoffamorsel.

Afterthirtymoretheyrestedforthenight.

Fiftyweretheintervalswhichtheytrodinaday.

[Herethenlinesaremissing]

Gilgameshwentupthemountain,pouredoutthefine‐mealandintoned,

'OMountain,bringmeadreamthatisfavorable.'

[Therestofthecolumnismissing,aswellasthefollowingtwocolumnsintheirentiretyandthe

beginningofthefiftycolumn.Bythetimethetextresumesintheincompletefifthcolumn,Gilgamesh

andEnkiduhavearrivedatthedoorwayorgateoftheCedarForest.Enkiduisencouragingahesitant

andwaveringGilgamesh.]

'RememberyourwordswheninUruk?Come,rise,thatyoumayslayhim!

AreyounotGilgamesh,theprogenyofGreatUruk?'

Gilgameshheardthesewordsfromhismouthandgreatbecamehisconfidence.

'Quickly,stepuptohim,lethimnotgo‐

Notgodownintothewoodsandvanishthere,

Wherehecloakshimselfwithsevencloaks(2)

Oneisonhimnow,sixarestilloff...'

Likeuntoalordlybullheragesandisfullof...

HetheGuardianoftheForestcallsout....

Humbaba,like

[Therestofthecolumnismissing,asisthebeginningofthenext.Thetextcommencesagainasfollows:]

EnkiduspoketoGilgamesh,

Saidtohim,'Letusnotgodownintotheheartoftheforest!

'...myfriend,asweaklings....

....wehavetravelled,allofthem....

....beforeus.....

TheEpicofGilgamesh

Page|23

Myfriend‐cannyincombat,youareskilledinbattle;

Onlytouchmygarmentandyouwillnotfeardeath.

...andremainwithme....'

[Hereonelineisundecipherable]

'Sothatthelimpnessmayleaveyourarm,thattheweaknessleavesyourhand...

Staybymeasmyfriendandletusgo.

Togetherintothedepthsoftheforestletnotcombatdestroyyourcourage.

Forgetdeathanddonot...

Amandeterminedtoactionbutthoughtful...

Hewholeadsthewaypreserveshimselfandkeepshiscompanionsafe.

Thoughtheymayperishyettheirnamewillendure.'

Andsotheybotharrivedatthegreenmountain.

Theyfellsilentandstoodquitestill.

TheEpicofGilgamesh

Page|24

TABLETV

Theystoodquitestillandlookedattheforest,

Sawhowhighthegreatcedarswere,andgazedupontheentrancetotheforest.

There,whereHumbabawaswonttotreadwasafinepath;straightitwasandeasytotravel.

TheysawalsotheCedarMountain,wherelivedthegods,

AndIrnini,GoddessofLove,holyInannahadherthroneseat.

Thecedarraisedaloftitsgreatluxuriantgrowth:whatcoolshade,whatdelight!

Coveringthebrushwood,coveringthe....

[Herethetextbreaksoff.Itresumes,afteranindeterminatelapse,withGilgameshspeakingtoEnkidu:]

'Riseup,castyourgazetothemountain....!

Mydivinesleephasbeentornfromme.

Myfriend,Isawadream‐Oh,howill‐omed!

How....!Howdisturbing!

Iseizedawildbullofthesteppe;Hebellowed,hekickeduptheearth,

Andtheskywasdarkened.

Igavewaybeforehim.Hewasseizing....strength,myflank

Hetoreoutthe............................

Heprovidedfood.......................hedrank

Hegavemewatertodrinkfromhiswater‐skin.'

[Thetextcontinuesunbrokenwithoutidentifyingthespeakers,butEnkiduisobviouslyreplyingto

Gilgamesh:]

'Myfriend,thegodtowhomwegoisnotawildbull,

Althoughhisformissurpassingstrange.

WhatyousawasawildbullisreallytheradiantShamashtheSun.

Hewilltakeusbythehandinourdireneed,

Hewhogaveyouthewatertodrinkfromhiswater‐skin‐

Heisyourspecialgodwhobringsyouhonor,ShamashtheSun.

WeshouldthereforejoinhimtogetherwithLugulbanda,yourfather,yourowngod,yourfamiliar,

Sothatwemightdoadeed,suchdeed,which,thoughwedie,yetwillnotbeinglorious.'

[Theremaybeabreakhere,astheorderofthefragmentsisuncertain.Butthetextcontinues

coherently:]

TheEpicofGilgamesh

Page|25

Theytookholdoneoftheotherandwenttotheirnightlyrest.

Sleepdescendeduponthem‐asitwerethegreatsurgeofnight.

Butuponmidnighthoura‐sudden,sleepflewfromGilgamesh.

ToEnkidu,hisfriend,hetellshisdream:

'Ifyouhavenotwakedme,thenhowdoIwake?

Enkidu,myfriend,Imusthaveseenadream!

Haveyounotwakedme?Why......?

Asidefromthatfirstdream,Inowhaveseenaseconddream;

Inmydreamagreatmountainfell,pinnedmetotheground,trappedmyfeetbeneathit.

Agreatglareoflightoverwhelmedme.

Amanlikeanyother‐suchamanaswehaveneverseen‐

Steppedforthfromthelight.

Hisgraceandbeautyweremore,

Morethananyonthisearth.

Hefreedmefromthemountain,gavemewatertodrink,quietedmyheart.

Heputmyfeetbackontheearth.'

EnkiduspoketoGilgamesh,saidtohim,

'Myfriend,letusgodownintotheplain,

Letusgotakecounseltogether.'

[Severallinesarelosthere,andwedon'thaveEnkidu'sinterpretationofthedream.Perhapsthe

wondrousmanisagainShamash,whowasseenasabull,probablybecausetheEpicwaswritteninthe

AgeofTaurus,between4,000and2,000BC,whenthesunroseatthespringequinoxinthesignofthe

Bull.ShamashisalsotherootdeityofGilgamesh.Afterabreak,thetextresumesasfollows,with

Gilgameshagainspeaking:]

'AseconddreamIsaw:

Wewerestandinginmountaingorgesandamountainfelluponus.

Itwassolargethatbycomparisonwewerelikesmallreedflies‐

Likethelittleflyofthecane‐brakeswewere.'

Hewhowasbornonthesteppe...

Enkidusaidtohisfriend,

'Myfriend,thedreamisauspicious,itisapreciousdream....

Myfriend,thatmountainwhichyousaw,thatmountainisHumbaba.

TheEpicofGilgamesh

Page|26

WeshallseizeHumbaba;weshallkillhim,andcasthisdeadbodyontheplain.

Onthemorrow...'

After20leagues,theybrokeoffamorsel

After30more,restedforthenight.

BeforeShamashtheSuntheydugawell....

Gilgameshwentupamountainandmadeofferingofhisfine‐mealandintoned:

'OMountain,bringadreamforEnkidu,bringforhimadreamofminetointerpret!'

AndthemountaindidbringadreamforEnkidu.

Itbroughtforhim....

Coldrainpassedoverhead....

Hehadtotakeshelter....

....andlikeuntothewildbarleyofthemountains.....

Gilgameshputshischintohisknees,sleepwhichfallsuponmankindfelluponGilgamesh.

Hestarted,fullawake,saidtohisfriend:

'Myfriend,haveyoucalledme?WhyamIawake?

Didyoutouchme?WhyhaveIstartedso?

Didnotsomegodpassby?WhyhaveIgonenumb?

Whyaremylimbsparalyzed?Myfriend,Isawa3rddream,

Andthisdreamwasterribleineveryway.

Theheavenswereroaringandscreaming,theearthwasblastedwithboomingsounds,

Anddarknessdescendedlikeashroud‐asuddenstreakoffireaslightningflashed,

Thecloudsgrewbloatedandfullandtheyraineddowndeath!

Thenthefire‐glowoftheskiesdiedout,andallthosefallenfromthefire,thatdownpourofdeath,

Crustedovertoashes.Oh,letusgodownintotheplain!Therewecantakecounsel!'

WhenEnkiduheardthis,heardthedreamhisfriendofferedhim,

HesaidtoGilgameshinterpretinghisdream,

Madehimcometoacceptanceofhisdream:

[MostunfortunatelywedonothaveanyaccountofEnkidu'sinterpretationofthedreamasthetext

breakshere.Whenthetextresumes,GilgameshandEnkiduarenolongerconversingaboutthedream

buthavearrivedattheforestofHumbaba:]

Gilgameshgrippedtheaxe,andwithitfelledthecedar.

Humbaba,hearingthesoundofthis,fellintoafuryandraged:

TheEpicofGilgamesh

Page|27

'Whoisitwhohascome‐

Comeandinterferedwithmytrees?

Mytreeswhichhavegrownonmyownmountains?

Andhasalsofelledthecedar?'

ButjustthenfromheavencamethevoiceoftheGreatGodShamashtheSun:

'Havenofear.Approachhimand........

March,aslongas...........

Heentersnotintohishouse........'

[Herethetextbreaksoff.GilgameshandEnkiduareapparentlygiveninstructionsbythevoiceof

ShamashonhowtoapproachHumbabainordertokillhim.Thiswouldseemtoincludespecific

directionsandusefulinformationaboutHumbaba'smovements.Buttheheroesdonotseemtofare

verywellevenwithsuchhelpfulhints:]

HistearsstreameddownfromhimandGilgameshsaidtoShamashinheaven:

[Heretwolinesaremutilatedinthetabletandcannotberead:]

'ButIhavetakenthewayofheavenlyShamash,Ihavetrodthewayhesaid.'

Humbabasaidtohim,saidtoGilgamesh:

'Thefool,thestupidman‐Theyshouldtakeadvice,Gilgamesh!

Whydoyounowapproachme?WiththatEnkidu,thatsonofa

Whoknewnothisfather,Companionofthesmallturtles,ofthelargeturtles;

InyouryouthIbeheldyou,nowshouldIkillyoutosatisfymybelly?

Shamashbroughtyou,Gilgamesh,andallowedyoutoreachme.

Itisthroughhisassistancethatyouaresteppingalongthus.

But,Gilgamesh,Iwillbitethroughthepalate‐pinofyourthroatandyourneck.

Iwillallowtheshriekingserpent‐bird,theeagleandtheraventoeatyourflesh!'

Gilgameshsaidtohisfriend,saidtoEnkidu:

'Myfriend,Humbaba'sfacialfeatureshavealtered,

Andtheirconfigurationraisesitselftoanequalheight

Butmyentrailsaregrippedbyfearthatwearetoohasty.'

Enkidusaidtohim,saidtoGilgamesh:

'Myfriend,whydoyouwailsomiserablyandletyourmouthgoflabbyandconcealyourself?

Fornow,myfriend,theaxehasbeencastforyou‐

Thecopper‐smithpoureditsmoltenmetalfromthegutterchannel,

TheEpicofGilgamesh

Page|28

Annealeditbyheatingforadouble‐hour,

Alloweditthentocookforadouble‐hour,

Producingthisweaponoftheflood‐storm.

Seizethewhip‐travelnotonyourfeet,donoturnback!

Strikewiththeaxeandmakeyourblowstrong!'

ShamashinheavenheardtheprayerofGilgamesh

AndagainstHumbabaroseupmightywinds:

TheGreatWind,theNorthWind,theSouthWind,theWhirlwind,

TheStormWind,theChillWindtheTempestuousWind

TheHotWind‐eightwerethewinds.

TheyroseupagainstHumbaba.

Lo!Hecannotmoveforwards!

Lo!Hecannotmovebackwards!

AndsoHumbabarelented.

ThenHumbabaansweredGilgamesh:

'Oh,doletmego,Gilgamesh!Youwillbemymaster,Iwillbeyourservant.

Andasformytrees,MytreeswhichIhavegrown,

Iwill............................

Strong.........................

Iwillcutthemdownandbuildyouhouses.'

ButEnkidusaidtoGilgamesh:

'Donotlistentohim.HarknottothewordofHumbaba.Humbabamustnotlive!'

[Humbabathenappearstobebatteredbythevariouswinds:]

ButthegreatwindsroaredagainstHumbaba

....the....dust‐stormsflowed

Perpetuallyonhishead.

[EnkiduthenseemstopleadwithGilgameshtokillHumbaba,fortheatrocitieshehascommitted:]

'Ibegyoutolistentome,myfriend!'

.....hestruckdownoncemorespeedilyand

.....tothelittlechild.

'Butyouknowthesignofmyforest,thesign......

Andyouknowpreciselyeverythingthatissaid.

TheEpicofGilgamesh

Page|29

Ishouldhaveliftedyouuponhigh,

Ishouldhavekilledyouuponyourentranceintothebranchesofmyforest!

Ishouldhavelettheshriekingserpent‐bird,theeagleandtheraveneatyourflesh!

[HumbabapleadswithEnkidutosparehislife]

Butnow,oEnkidu,itlieswithyou.Makelimpyourwrath.

SpeaktoGilgamesh!Hemightsparemylife!'

Enkidusaidtohisfriend,saidtoGilgamesh:

'Myfriend,HumbabatheguardianoftheCedarForest......Strikehimtomaimhim.

Killhim!Crushhim!Andquickly,Humbaba,theguardianoftheforest‐Strikehimtomaimhim.

Killhim!Crushhim!Andquickly.

BeforeGodEnlil,theForemosthearshiscries.

Thegodswillbefilledwithwrathagainstusforourdeed.

EnlilinthecityofNippur,Shamashin.....

Putdownand.....'

AsGilgameshcamenearertoHumbaba,butHumbabaheardhisapproach.

[Heremanylinesarelost.Whenthetextresumes,GilgameshandEnkiduseemtobequarreling;]

'Shouldnot......

Shouldnoterectahigheraltarthanhisfriend?

GilgameshandEnkidushouldnevermorehaveoneanotherasfriends!'

Enkidusaidtohim,saidtoGilgamesh:

'Myfriend,Ispeaktoyoubutdoyounotputastoptomywords.FirstkillHumbaba,thenkillhis

servants!'

[fragmentsaremissingandpiecedtogetherhere]

Whenhehadspokenthus,

Gilgameshheededthewordsofhisfriend.

Withhishandhetooktheaxe,

Drewtheswordfromhisbelt.

GilgameshstrucktheneckofHumbaba,

Enkidu,hisfriend,struckHumbabatwicealso.

AtthethirdblowHumbabafell.

Confusion.....dumbfounded,

Hestruckthewatchman,Humbaba,totheground.

TheEpicofGilgamesh

Page|30

Fortwoleaguesthecedarsresounded.

Theyplaceduponhim....

TheybroughthimbeforeGodEnlilandGoddessNinlil

Enlilbroughtforthfromtheseahispalaceservant

AndNinlilbroughtforthfrom....her....

WhenEnlilandNinlil.....

'Whythus......?

Lethimcomeforth,lethimseize.....'

InfrontofEnliltheyentered,

InfrontofEnlil,havingkissedtheearth,

Theythrewdowntheshroud,

Theytookoutthehead

AndtheyresteditinfrontofEnlil.

Enlil,atthesightofHumbaba,

GrewangryatthewordsofGilgameshandsaid:

'Whydoyouactinthisway?

Mayyourfacesbesearedbyfire!

Maythefoodyoueatbeeatenbyfire!

Maythewateryoudrinkbedrunkbyfire!'

[Thereisagaphere,duringwhichEnlilpresentsGilgameshwiththesevenmelammusorroarsof

Humbaba:]

Attheendoftheirconversation,

Afterhisservanthadpreparedasweet....

Enlilsaid,'Placehimdownbeforeyou,

Makehimeatthebreadthatyoueat,

Makehimdrinkthedrinkthatyoudrink.

AfterEnlilhadtakenawayHumbaba,

Heretainedhisexaltedterrifyingroar;

Heattachedthefirstroartoalargeriver;

Heattachedthesecondroarto................

Heattachedthethirdroarto.....whichcarried....

Heattachedthefourthroartoalion

TheEpicofGilgamesh

Page|31

Heattachedthefifthroartobarbarity,

Heattachedthesixthroartoamountain

HeattachedtheseventhroartothegoddessNungal.

Totheking,whosubduedandconqueredtheterrifyingroar,

ToGilgameshthewildbull.

Whoplundersthemountain.

Whogoesfromtheretothesea‐

Glorytohim!

AndfromvaliantEnkidu‐glorytoEnki!

GodEnki,thatyourglorybesweet!

TheEpicofGilgamesh

Page|32

TABLETVIThedirtofhistravels,Gilgameshwashedfromhishair,

Abeauteoussheenheputtohisweapons,

Polishingthem.

Downalonghisbackitfell,

Theshiningcleanhairofhishead.

Allthesoiledgarments,hecastthemoff.

Clean,newclothesheputon.

Abouthimnow,wrapped,clingingtohim,acloakwithitsfringe,

Hissparklingsashwasfastenedontohim,hiscrownonhishead.

ButwhenInannahadseenthis,

Whenshe,theGoddessofLoveandWar,hadseenthis

SheraisedaneyeindeedtothebeautyofGilgamesh:

'OGilgamesh,willyounotbemymate?

Iwillgiveyoumyselfaswife:youshallbemyhusband!

ForyouIwillgiveachariotmadeoflapis‐lazuli

Yes,too,andofgold!Itshorns‐theyshallbeofbrilliantbrass.

StormdemonsIwillhitchtoitforyourmules!

Thereshallbeagreatfragranceofcedarontheoccasionswhenyouenterourhouse

Itsverythreshold,theverydaisitself‐Asyourfeettouchthemyourfeetshallbekissedbythem!

Andallthekingsandthelordsandtheprinces‐allofthem‐

Theseshallbehumbledbeforeyou.

Iwillmakealltheyieldofthehills,

Alltheyieldoftheplainsbebroughttoyouastribute.

Allyourgoatsshallbeartwins

Allyoursheepshallbeartwins.

Theassshallbetterthemuleforburdens,

Whileyourchariothorseswillbefamedfortheirspeedinracing.

[Herethreelinesaremutilatedandcannotberead.Gilgameshreplies]

'Butwhatadvantagewoulditbetometotakeyouinmarriage?

Inthecoldseasonyouwouldsurelyfailme!

TheEpicofGilgamesh

Page|33

Likeapanfullofburningcoalswhichgoout.

Youarethegreatpalacewhichcollapsesonitshonoredguests,

Thehead‐dressthatunravels,thepitchthatblackensthehandsofthebearer,

Thewater‐skinthatrubsthebackrawasitiscarried,thelimestonewhichunderminestherampart

Asiegeenginethrownupagainstthewallsoftheenemy,theshoethatpinchesthefootofitsowner.

Whatmandidyouloveforever?

Whatthroughoutyourliveistherethatyouhavekeptforlong?

Come,Iwilltellyouthetalesofyourformerrelationships:

ForTammuz,youryounghusband,forhimwewailyearafteryear!

Hewhodieseachautumnandcomesbackeachspring!

Thespottedshepherd‐birdyouloved,thatbirdwhichrollsandtumblesinitsflight,

Andyoustruckhim,brokehiswing.

Andnowhestandsinthegrovesandcalls:

"Kappi!"‐thatbird'shoarsecry,whichistosay,“Mywing!’

Thenyoulovedthelion,perfectinitsstrength,butyoudugforhimsevenpitsandagainseven.

Thenyoulovedthestallion,greatinbattle,butyoumadeforhimthewhipandthongandthespur.

Andyoudecreedthatherunseven‐doublehours,

Andthatitisforhimtomakemuddyandthentodrink.

Forhismother,Silili,youdecreedlamentation!

Youalsolovedtheshepherdwithhisherd,hepiledashcakeshighforyouwithoutcease,

Andonthisburningcharcoaldailyofferedyouhisyoungandsucculentkids

Butyoustruckhim,andturnedhimintoawolfsothatnowhisownherdboysdrivehimoff,

Andhisowndogsbiteathisthighs.

ThenyoulovedIshullanu,thepalm‐gardenerofyourfather,whobroughtyoubasketsofdateseveryday

Youraisedyoureyesandlookedathim,andyouseducedhim.

ButIshullanusaidtoyou:"Whatareyouaskingofme?

Hasnotmymotherbaked,haveInoteaten,

ThatIshouldpartakeoffoodwithsuchstrongodor,withsuchfoulstench?

Hebrightenedyourtableeveryday.

Youraisedyoureyesandlookedathim,andashewasnotwillingtobeyours,

Youstruckhimandturnedhimintoamole.

Ifyoulovedme,wouldyoutreatmethesameasthem?

TheEpicofGilgamesh

Page|34

Canmerereedsprotectonefromthefrost,asthesayingis?"

WhenInannaheardthis‐She,theGoddessofLoveandBattleheardthis‐

Shewasinfuriated.

ShewenttoheavenimmediatelyandsawherfatherAn,theSkyGod.

Beforehimshewept,andbeforehermother,Antum,shewept.

Andshesaid:'Father,Gilgameshhasinsultedme!

Heenumeratedallmyevildeeds!HehassaidIamfoulodorandIamevil!'

Anspoke,saidtothegloriousInanna:

'Areyouthefather?YouhavequarreledwithGilgameshtheKing.

Andsohetoldyouyourevildeeds,Theodorofthem.'

InannaspoketoherfatherAn:'Father,pleasegivemetheBullofHeaven

SothathecansmiteKingGilgamesheveninhisownhome.

Andifyoudon'tgivemetheBullofHeaven,IwillgodowntotheUnderworldandsmashitsdoors!

Iwillplacethoseabovebelow!Thedoorswillbeleftwideopenandthedeadwillgetout,

Eatallthefood,andthedeadwillthenoutnumbertheliving!

Anspoke,saidtogloriousInanna:

'IfyoudesirefromtheBullofHeaven,therewillbesevenyearsofbarrenhusksinthelandofUruk.

Haveyougatheredenoughgrainforthepeople?

Haveyougrownenoughfodderforthebeasts?'

Inannaspoke,saidtoherfatherAn:

'Ihavestoredenoughgrainforthepeople,

Ihaveprovidedenoughfodderfortheanimals.

Ifthereshouldbesevenyearsofnocrops

Ihavegatheredgrainforthepeople

Ihavegrownfodderforthebeasts.'

[Herethreelinesarelost]

WhenAnheardthisspeechofInanna

HegaveherthetetheroftheBullofHeaven,sothatInannamightleadittoUruk.

WhenshecametothegatesofUruk

[Hereonelineismissing]

Hewentdowntotheriver,withthesnortoftheBullofHeaven,pitswereopened

AndahundredmenofUrukfellintothem.

TheEpicofGilgamesh

Page|35

Withhissecondsnort,pitswereopenedandtwohundredyoungmenofUrukfellintothem.

Withhisthirdsnort,pitswereopenedandEnkidufellinoneofthem.

Enkiduleaptoutofitandseizedthebullbythehorns.

TheBullofHeavenretreatedbeforehimandbrushedhimwiththehairytipofitstail,

Asitspewedfoamfromitsmouth.

EnkiduchasedtheBullofHeaven;

Heseizedhimbythethickhairytipofhistail.

[Herethreelinesaremutilated]

Hethrusthisswordbetweenthenapeofhisneck

Andthehornsofhishead

WhentheyhadkilledtheBull,theytoreouthisheart,andplaceditbeforeShamashtheSun.

TheysteppedbackandfelldownbeforeShamashinhomage.

Thenthetwobrotherssatdown.

ThenInannamountedupuponthewallofthecity,thereatrampartedUrukand,

Springingontothebattlements,sheutteredacurse:

'Woebeuntoyou,Gilgamesh,whohasinsultedmebyslayingtheBullofHeaven!'

WhenEnkiduheardthecurseofInanna,hetoreloosetherightthighoftheBullofHeaven,

Flungitskywardsupintoherface:

'IfIcouldreachyou,

Iwoulddothesametoyouastohim!

Iwouldhanghisentrailsatyourside!'

ThenInannacalledpriestessesofthetemple,

Andwiththemshesetupawailinglamentation

OvertherightthighoftheBullofHeaven.

(Thereisnobreakhere,butitisaswelltoexplainthattheancientEgyptianconstellationoftheThigh,

whichwasinfactabull'sthighwastheancientequivalenttoourPloughorGreatBearorBigDipper‐all

thesethreebeingthesame).(2)

ButGilgameshcalledthearmorersandcraftsmen

Theartisansadmiredthethicknessofthebull'shorns

Eachhornisthirtyminasoflapis‐lazuli;

Twofingersthickisthecoatingofeach

Sixmeasuresofoilwouldmeasuretheircapacity,

TheEpicofGilgamesh

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Wouldbewhattheywouldcontain,thisbeing1,500quarts.

Andjustthismuchointmentdidhethenpresent

Tohisownspecialgod,LugulbandathePure.

Asforthehorns,hebroughtthem

Intohisprincelybedchamberandhungthemthere.

TheywashedtheirhandsintheEuphrates,

Theyembracedoneanotherastheywenton,

RidingthroughthemainstreetsofUruk.

Thereheroesareallgatheredroundtoseethem,

Gilgameshtothesacredlyre‐maidsofUruk,

Saysthesewords:

'Whoisthemostsplendidamongtheheroes?

Whoisthemostgloriousamongmen?'

Whohasstrengthandcouragenoonecanmatch?

'Gilgameshisthemostsplendidamongheroes!

Gilgameshisthemostgloriousamongmen!'(3)

Inhispalace,Gilgameshholdsagreatfeast.

Downtheheroeslieontheirnightcouches,

Enkidualsoliesdown,andseesadream,

Enkidurisesuptorevealhisdream,

Sayingtohisfriend:

'Myfriend,whyaretheGreatGodsincouncil?'

TheEpicofGilgamesh

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TABLETVII

'.....thentwilightcame.'

AndEnkidusaidtoGilgamesh:

'Myfriend,hearadreamIhadlastnight.An,theSkyGod,Enlil,hisson,

Enki,sonofEnlil,andShamashtheSun,allheldcounciltogether,andAnsaidtoEnlil:

'BecausetheyhaveslaintheBullofHeaven,andhaveslainHumbaba,

Hewhowatchedoverthemountains,watchedthemfromCedarTree‐oneamongofthem

Mustdie!'‐SosaidAn.

ButGreatEnlilsaid,'Enkidumustdie!

Gilgamesh,however,shallnotdie!'

ThenheavenlyShamashtheSunansweredgreatEnlil:

'Wasitnotatyourveryowncommandthatthesenecessitiestookplace‐

TheslayingoftheBullofHeavenandHumbaba?

Andnowyousay,innocentEnkidushoulddie?'

ButatthisEnlilbecameenraged.

HeturnedinangertoheavenlyShamash:

'Yousaythatjustbecauseyouusedtogodowntothemeverydayasifyouyourselfwerehiscomrade!'

EnkidulaydownbeforeGilgamesh,veryill.

Gilgamesh,histearsrunningdown,saidtohim:

'Mybrother,mydearbrother!Theywishtoletmegobuttotakeyouasthepriceforthis!'

Alsohesaid:

'MustIsitdownbythespiritofthedead,

Bythedoorofthespiritofthedead?

Andneveragaintoseemydearbrotherwithmyeyes?

[Herethereisaconsiderablebreak.Ascanbeseenfromwhatfollows,Enkiducursesthefatesandthe

stagesthathaveledhimtoleavethewildsteppeandcomingtoacivilizedlife.Wecanassumethatin

thelostportionhegavefurtherventtohisfrustrationanddejectionandthatGilgameshtoomade

complaintagainstEnkidu'sunfortunatefateandthedecisionofthegodsthatEnkidumustdieandbe

takenfromhim]

Enkidu....lifteduphiseyes,spokeasiftothedoor,

Asthoughthedoorwerehuman:

TheEpicofGilgamesh

Page|38

'Odoor!Doortotheforest!Insensiblething!

Possessedofnounderstanding!

Fromadistanceof20leaguesIthoughtyourtimberfine!ThenIbeheldtheloftycedar!

Nowhereinthelandisthereanysemblance,anycomparewithyourwood!

Sixdozenarethecubitstoyourheight,twodozenarethecubitstoyourwidth...

TrulyacraftsmanofNippurmadeyou....

But,hadIknownthatthisbeautyofyourswouldbringtopasssuchdisaster,

Iwouldhavetakentheaxeandwouldhave....

Iwouldhavemadeareedframeto[encompass?]you

[Hereseverallinesarelost.WhenEnkidu'sspeechresumes,hemakesclearthatheconstructedthedoor

himself,evidentlyfromthefelledcedartreehesoadmired.ArecurringthemeofSumerianand

Babylonianliteratureisthefellingofasacredtreeandmakingsomespecialorsacredobjectfromit.]

'Odoor,Imadeyou,setyouinplace

................................................you

WhenIamgone,mayaking........you

Orperhapsagod.......you.

Hemayplacehisnameonyou,eradicatingmine.'

Herippedout....hetoredown.

AsGilgameshlistened,hurriedlyhis....

AsGilgameshheardhisfriendEnkiduspeakthus,histearswereflowing.

Gilgameshopenedhismouth,saidtoEnkidu:

'........illustrious,strangethingsmaybespokenbythewise.

Whydoesyourheartsaysuchstrangethings,myfriend?

Preciouswasyourdream,buttheterrorisgreat.

Yourlimbsareparalyzedlike.......

Butdespitetheterror,preciousisthedream:

Miserywasreleasedforthehealthy;woebefellthehealthyfromthisdream.

....andIwillpraytotheGreatGods.'

[Hereelevenlinesaremissing.]

WithdaybreakEnkidulookedup,tearsstreamingfromhimtoradiantShamashtheSun:

'Ipray,oShamash,thatthehunter,thatrogue,hewhohuntednot

Whostoppedmygettingasmuchgameasmyfriend‐

TheEpicofGilgamesh

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Lethimnotgetasmuchgameashisfriend.

Takewhatheowns,lessenhispower.

Mayhiswayoffendyou.

Mayallthegameescapefromhim.

Mayhisheartbeneverfull.'

Andhebitterlycursedthepriestess:

'Oyou,priestess,Ipronounceyourfate‐

Afatewhichshallbeyoursforalleternity!

Hearken,forIcurseyounowwithagreatcurseandmaymycursesattackyouontheinstant:

Yourhomeshallbetheroad....

Thedustofthecrossroadsiswhereyoushalldwell.

Thedesertshallbeyourbed.

Theshadowofthewalliswhereyoushalllinger,

Yourfeettornbythornsandbrambles‐

Becauseyouhavebroughtdeathuponme'

WhenthesewordswereheardbyShamashtheSun,

StraightawayhecalleddownfromheaventoEnkidu:

'Enkidu,whydoyoucursethepriestesswhointroducedyoutofoodfitforthegods,

Todrinkfitforkings?Shewhoclothedyounobly!

ShewhogaveyouGilgameshasfriend,andnowGilgameshisabrothertoyou.

Hashenotplacedyouonabeauteouscouch?

Youareonthethroneofease,thethroneathislefthand

Sothattherulersoftheearthkissyourfeet!

LamentationsandweepingsfromthepeopleofUrukshallhecauseforyou;

Thosewithheartsfullofjoyheshallmakemourn

Whenyouhaveturnedback.

Hewilllethisbodybecomelong‐haired,hewillclothehimselfwiththeskinofthedog,

Andhewillroamthesteppe.'

ThesewordsofShamashquietedEnkidu,calmedhisangryheart.

[Heretwolinesaremissing.Enkiduretractshiscursingofthepriestessandblessesherinstead]

'Oyoupriestess,Ipronounceyourfate‐themouthhascursedyou

Itturnsandblessesyou.

TheEpicofGilgamesh

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Lordsandgovernorsshallloveyouhewhoisoneleagueawayshallsmitehisthighinadmirationofyou

Hewhoistwoleaguesawayshallshakehishairinadmirationofyou

Mayyoubeladenwithcarnelian,lapislazuliandgold.

Andhewhodoesnotcareforyou‐mayhebepaidback!

Mayhishomebestripped,

Hisfullstorehouseemptied.

Maythepriestleadyouintothepresenceofthegods.

Enkidu,castdowninsorrow,

Driftsintoasadandlonelysleep.

Theninthenighttohisfriend

Hepoursouttheheavinessofhisheart:

'Myfriend,thisnightIdreamed.

Thewholecosmoswasroaring

Andanechoresoundedfromtheearth:

Thisisanomenofdeath,

AsIwasstandingtherebetweentheheavensandearth,

Isawayoungmanwhosefacewasdark.

HisfacewaslikeZu,birdgodfromtheUnderworld.

....withclawslikeaneagle'stalons.

Heovercameme.........heclimbs.........submergedme.

[Heresevenlinesaremissing]

Hetransformedmeintoadoubleofhisbody,

Sothatmyarmswerenowcladinfeatherslikethoseofabird.

Fixinghisgazeonme,heledmetotheHouseofDarkness

TherewhereIrkallalives,He,theGodoftheDead.

Noonewhoentersthathousecomesforthagain.

Itistheone‐wayroadfromwhichthereisnoreturn;

Thoseresidingtherearebereftofthelightforever,

Wheredustistheirfoodandmudtheirsustenance.

Theyaredressedasbirds,withgarmentsofwingfeathers.

Theyseenolightbutcrouchindarkness,

ThereintheHouseofDust,intowhichIcame,

TheEpicofGilgamesh

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Isawkings,theircrownssetaside‐

Thosewhohadonceruledonearththroughtheages,humbled,

Nolongerweretheyborntothecrown.

AndthetwinsofAnandEnlilwerethere

Servingtheroastmeat,thefriedandbakedfood,

Pouringcoldwateroutfromtheskins.

InthehouseofDustwhereIcamesitthehighpriestandtheacolyte,

Sitthecantorandtheshaman,sittheattendantsofthesacredablutions,

TheresatEtana,oncekingofKish,

TheresatSumugan,he,thegodoftheCattle,

AndalsoEreshkigal,whoistheQueenoftheUnderworld.

Belit‐Seri,herscribe,kneelsbeforehere.

Andshereadsoutfromatablettoher.

She,thescribe,liftsherhead,seesmeandsays:

'Whobroughtthisone?'

[Here50linesaremissing.ButthefollowingfragmentwhereGilgameshisspeakingisbelievedtocome

fromthelostremainderofthistablet]

'Rememberallmytravelswithhim!

Myfriendsawadreamofunfavorableomen

Thedaythedreamwasended.

Enkidulaystrickenoneday,twodays,Enkidu'ssufferingonhisbedworsened:

Athirdday,afourthday...

A5thday,a6thday,a7th,

An8th,a9thandatenthday.

Enkidu'ssufferingonhisbedincreases;

An11thday,a12thday...

Enkidulaystrickenonhisbedofagony.

FinallyhecalledGilgameshandspoketohim:

'Myfriend........hascursedme!

NotlikeonewhofallsinbattleshallIdie,

ForIfearedthebattle....

Myfriend,onewhodiesinbattleisblessed.

TheEpicofGilgamesh

Page|42

Butasforme...'

TABLETVIIIOnthehorizonthereappeared

Thefirstintimationsofdawn(1)

AndGilgameshsaidtohisfriend,

'Enkidu,yourmother,thegazelle,yourfather,thewildass‐

Thesetogetherproducedyou.

Theywhosemarkistheirtailsrearedyou

Asdidthecattleofthesteppesandofallpastures,

MaythetracksofEnkiduintheCedarForest

Weepforyou!

Maytheynotbehushedbynightorbyday.

Urukofthewideramparts‐mayitselders

Weepforyou!

Maythefingerwhichblesseswhatisbehindus

Weepforyou!

Maythecountryechowithsorrowlikeamother!

May...Weepforyou!

Inwhosemidstwe....

Maythebear,thehyena,thepanther,

Maythetiger,thestag,theleopard,thelion,

Maytheox,thedeer,theibex‐

Mayallthewildofthesteppe

Weepforyou!

MaytheRiverUlla‐mayitweepforyou!

Theriverbywhosebanks

Westrolledtogether‐friends

MaythepureEuphrates,wherewedrewwaterfortheskins

Mayitweepforyou!

MaythewarriorsofUrukofthewideramparts

Weepforyou!

...weslewtheBullofHeaven‐

TheEpicofGilgamesh

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May....weepforyou!

ThoseinEriduwhosangyourpaeans‐

Maytheyweepnow!

Mayallthosewhohavepraisedyou‐

Maytheyweep!

Allthosewhoprovidedyouwithgrain‐

Maytheyweepforyou!

[Herethereisaconsiderablebreak,duringwhichEnkidufinallydies.ThetextresumeswithGilgamesh

lamentinghisfriend'sdeath:]

'HearmeOelders!

ItisforEnkidu,forEnkidu,myfriend,thatIweep.

Iwaillikeawoman,sobitterlylamentingthegoodlyaxeinwhichmyhandtrusted,

Hangingbymyside,Thedaggerrestinginmybeltandtheshieldwhichwentbeforeme.

Myrichest‐trimmedrobeforthefestivities‐anevilforcearose,seizedthemallfromme!

Oh,myfriend,youngerthanmyself,youhuntedthewildassinthehills,

Youchasedthepantheronthesteppe!

Oh,Enkidu,myyoungerfriend,howyouhuntedthewildassinthehills

Chasedthepantheronthesteppe!

Wetwohaveconqueredall,climbedall

WeweretheoneswhoseizedandkilledtheBullofHeaven

WeweretheoneswholaidholdofHumbaba,

HewholivedintheCedarForest

Whatisthissleepthathasnowcomeoveryou?

Youhavegonedarkandcannothearme!'

ButEnkidudidnotraisehishead.

GilgameshfeltforEnkidu'sheartbeat,buttherewasnone.

ThenhedrewaveilacrossEnkidu'sfaceasifhewereabride.

Heroaredlikealionesswhohadhercubstakenawayfromher.

Backwardsandforwardshewentbeforehisfriend,

Andtorehishair,strewingitaround.

Hetoreoffhisbeautifulclothes,flungthemdownasthoughtheywerefilth.

Andthenonthehorizonthereappearedthefirstintimationsofdawn.

TheEpicofGilgamesh

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ThenGilgameshproclaimeduntotheland

'Comesmith,comeworkman,comefashionerofcopper,

Comeworkeringold,comeinscriberinmetal!

Shapeyoutheimageofmyfriend!

Myfriendwhosestatureisbeyondcompare;

Mayhisbreastbelapislazuli,mayhisbodybeofgold.

[FromastrangedocumentcalledtheLetterofGilgameshwhichinmanyrespectsisfantasticand

unreliable,afewmorepossibledetailsofthestatuemaypossiblybegleanedastheywereknowninthe

tradition:]

'Lettherebemanylarge....ofredochre

Andlapislazulisetinsolidgold,

AndletthembeboundonthebreastofmyfriendEnkidu

Oneblockofsolidgold‐letitsweightbe30minas

IwillfixonthebreastofEnkidu,myfriend.

Lettherebemanygaz‐stones,muchjasper,lapis‐lazuli,

Allthestonesthatthereareinthehighmountains.

Letthembesentonhorsestothehome‐country.

Maybeautifulamuletsbemadeoutofthem.

Freshfruitoutofseason,anythingpreciousandexoticwhichmyeyeshaveneverseen,

Foranofferingletthembeloadedwiththesilverandgold,

LetthemdriftdowntheRiverEuphrates,carrythemtothequayofBabylon

andmyeyesshallseethemandmyheartshallbeconfident.'

'Iplacedyouonabeauteouscouch.Youwereinthethroneofease,

Thethroneatmylefthand,sothattherulersoftheearthkissedyourfeet!

LamentationsandweepingsfromthepeopleofUrukshallInowcauseforyou;

ThosewithheartsfullofjoyshallImakemourn.

AndafteryouhavebeenlaidtorestIshallletmybodybecomeshaggy,

Iwillclothemyselfintheskinofadog,andIshallroamthesteppe!'

Onthehorizonthereappeared,thefirstintimationsofdawn;

Gilgameshloosenedhisband.....

[Heremanylinesarelost,withonlyafewfragmentarymatchesmentioning'tomyfriend','yoursword',

'likeness',and'totheplaceofMercury'(2).Thefollowingbriefpassagehasbeenpreserved:]

TheEpicofGilgamesh

Page|45

...JudeoftheFiftyGreatGods,theAnunnaki...

WhenGilgameshheardthis

Heconceivedinhishearttheconcept,orimageoftheriver.

Onthehorizonthereappeared

Thefirstintimationsofdawn

Gilgameshfashioned....

Broughtoutalargetabletofelammaquwood,

Tookacarnelianbowl,filleditwithhoney

Tookalapis‐lazulibow,filleditwithmilkcurd

...headornedandexposedtoShamashtheSun

[TherestoftheTablet,averylargeportion,islost.Inthemissingsections,thefuneralandburialof

Enkiduevidentlytookplace.]

NOTESTOTABLETVIII

1.Thesetwolinesarerepeatedatintervalsthroughoutthetablet.TheirinclusionisneitheraccidentalnorforpoeticpurposesbutratherreflectstheobsessionoftheBabylonianastronomers/priestswithwhatareknownasheliacalrisingsofkeystarsandplanets.Aheliacalrisingtakesplacewhenastarorplanetrisesoverthehorizonatthesamemomentasthefirstintimationsofdawn.TheEgyptians(muchofwhoseastro‐religiousconceptspassedoverintoSumerianandhenceBabylonianculture)basedtheirmaincalendarontheheliacalrisingofthestarSirius,whichwasgivengargreaterprominencethanthemundanesolarandlunarcalendars.2.TheBabyloniannameforMercuryhere‐Bibbu‐mightperhapsbeaborrowingfromtheEgyptianbeb,'togoround','torevolve','tocirculate'.SinceBibbuhasbeenknowntobeappliedtoMarsandSaturnonoccasion,andtherearealsoseveraltextualreferencesforitsuseasageneralplanetarytermofsomesort,itsrealmeaningmaywellhavebeensomethinglikecircler,inthesamemannerinwhichtheGreekwordforplanetreallymeantwanderer.ItsuseforMercurycouldsimplyreflectthatMercuryofalltheplanetsisthegreatcircler,witharapidloopingorbit(asseenfromearth).

TheEpicofGilgamesh

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TABLETIX

Gilgameshroamsthesteppeandweepsbittertears

ForEnkidu,hisfriend:

'ShallInotdielikeEnkidu?Woegnawsatmyentrails,Ifeardeath.

SoIroamthesteppe.ImustgotoseeZiusudra,theSurvivoroftheFlood

He,thesonofUbara‐Tutu.ImmediatelyshallItravelthewheel‐rim(1)tohim.

AtnightIcometotheGatesoftheMountains.

Grippedbyfear,Isawlions.IliftedmyheadtotheMoonGod,offeredprayers.

Myprayerswentouttothe....ofthegods:

'OGodoftheMoon,doyoupreserveme!'

Helaidhimselfdownandthenawokefromadream.

Thereinthedreamhehadseen[lodestones](2)

Rejoicinginlifetheywere.Inhishandheraisedanaxe,

Hedrewhisdaggerfromhisbelt,hedescendeduponthemlikeanarrow(3).

Hestruckatthem,smashedthemintopieces.

[Heremanylinesarelost,withonlyafewscatteredwordssurviving.Sixlinesalong,alinecommences

withthefemalepronounshe;theidentityofthefemalepersonageinthismissingsectioncannoteven

beguessedat,butsheprobablyappearedinanotherdreamandcouldhavebeenSiduri[seenext

tablet],therebyrepeatingthepatternofpremonitorydreaming.]

ThemountainiscalledMashu(4)

AndsohearrivedatMashuMountainwhichkeepswatcheveryday

OvertherisingandsettingoftheSunGod,whosetipsreachthezenithofheaven,

Andwhoserim(5)reachesthedepthsoftheUn,

Scorpion‐Men(6)guardthecommencementofitsmotion(7).

Awfultheirterror,theirglanceisdeath(8);

Thesplendoroftheirscintillation(9)disturbsthemountains

WhichkeepwatchovertherisingandthesettingoftheSunGod

WhenGilgameshobserved(10)them,hisvisagewasdarkenedwithterror,withfear.

Regaininghiscomposure,heapproachesthem.

TheScorpion‐Mancalledtohiswife,

'Lookwhocomes,hisbodyismadeoffleshofthegods.'

TheEpicofGilgamesh

Page|47

TheScorpion‐Man'swifereplied,

'Heis2/2god,1/3man'.

TheScorpion‐Mancallsout,

Criestotheoffspringofthegods:

'Whyhaveyoucomethisfarajourney?Whatbringsyouherebeforeme?

YouhavemadeatraverseofthecelestialSea‐Itscrossingsaredifficult.

Iwishtolearnthemeaningofyourcoming.'

[Thenextlineappearstobeanenquiryabout'yourway'or'yourroad',ortheroadtakenbyGilgamesh.

Whenthetextresumes,GilgameshisreplyingtotheScorpion‐ManandmentioningZiusudra,the

Babylonian/SumerianNoah:]

'Ihavecomeinsearchoflife,toseeZiusudra,myforefather‐hewhosurvivedtheFlood

AndjoinedtheAssemblyoftheGods,Iwishtoaskhimaboutlifeanddeath.'

TheScorpion‐Manopenedhismouthtospeak,saidtoGilgamesh:

'Thereneverwasamortal,Gilgamesh,neveronewhocoulddothat.

Noonehastravelledthemountain'spath(12).

Fortwelvedouble‐hoursitsbowels....Denseisthedarknessandthereisnolight.

TotherisingoftheSun.......

TothesettingoftheSun.....

TothesettingoftheSun.....'

[Manylinesaremissinghere.TheScorpion‐Manisbelievedinthemissingportiontohavedescribedthe

journeydouble‐hourbydouble‐hour[seenote13].Whenthetextresumes,Gilgameshisspeaking:]

'Whetheritbeinsorrow,whetheritbeinpain,

Incold,inheat,insighing,inweeping,Iwillgo!

Letthegateofthemountainnowbeopened!'

TheScorpion‐Manopenedhismouthtospeak,

SaidtoGilgamesh:

'Go,then,Gilgamesh,goyouforth.

MayyoucrossthemountainsofMashu,

Mayyoutraversethemountainsandranges.

Mayyougoinsafety.

Thegateofthemountainisnowopentoyou!'

WhenGilgameshheardthis,whenheheardthewordsoftheScorpion‐Man,

TheEpicofGilgamesh

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Hetravelledfromtheeasttowest,alongtheroadoftheSun.

Whenhehadgoneonedouble‐hour,densewasthedarknessandtherewasnolight.

Thispermittedhimnosightofitsfrontorhisrearwhenhehadgonetwodoublehours

Densewasthedarknessandtherewasnolight.

Thispermittedhimnosightofitsfrontorhisrear.

Whenhehadgonethreedouble‐hours

Densewasthedarknessandtherewasnolight.

Thispermittedhimnosightofitsfrontorhisrear

Whenhehadgonefourdoublehours

Densewasthedarknessandtherewasnolight.

Thispermittedhimnosightofitsfrontorhisrear.

Whenhehadgonefivedouble‐hours

Densewasthedarknessandtherewasnolight.

Thispermittedhimnosightofitsfrontorhisrear

Whenhehadgonesixdoublehours

Densewasthedarknessandtherewasnolight.

Thispermittedhimnosightofitsfrontorhisrear.

Whenhehadgonesevendouble‐hours

Densewasthedarknessandtherewasnolight.

Thispermittedhimnosightofitsfrontorhisrear

Whenhehadgoneeightdoublehours,hecriedout.

Densewasthedarknessandtherewasnolight.

Thispermittedhimnosightofitsfrontorhisrear.

Whenhehadgoneninedouble‐hours,hefeltthemorningbreeze.

Itwasfanninghisface

Densewasthedarknessandtherewasnolight.

Thispermittedhimnosightofitsfrontorhisrear

Whenhehadgonetendoublehours

Heknowsthemomentofrisingisnear.

Heisimpatientfortheendofthedoublehours.

Whenhehadgoneelevendoublehours

HerosejustbeforetheSun

TheEpicofGilgamesh

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Whenhehadgonetwelvedouble

Dayhadgrownbright(13)

Uponseeingthebejeweledshrubs,heapproachesthem.

Thecarnelianbearsitsfruitandhungitiswithgoodlyvines,

Thelapislazulibearsleaves,lushfruitalsohangsfromit

Itisfinetotheeye.

[Theremainingfiftylinesofthistabletaremutilatedorlost.Fromthefragmentarywordssurvivingwe

canseethatthedescriptionofthegardenofjewelscontinued,foratleastsixdifferentstonesand

mineralsarementioned,buttheyaremerelystraywordsinanotherwiseobliteratedtext.]

NOTESTOTABLETIX

1.Thewordusedintheoriginaltext‐allak‐meansrimofawheel,andisyetanotherreferencetocosmicorbitalmotion.Similarly,allakumeans'wanderer',whichinmanyculturessuchastheGreekandEgyptianwaswhattheplanetswerecalled,anditalsomeans'messenger',aconceptoftenassociatedtotheplanetMercury,becauseofitsrapidshuttlingsbackandforthinthesky.Suchabusyplanetrushingrapidlytoandfrowasquitenaturallyseenasawanderer.2.SeeTabletX,note5.4.AllscholarshaveexpressedpuzzlementoverthenameMashu[HeideldoubtedthewordwasBabylonian].IbelieveitisaborrowingoftheEgyptianmaShu,whichmeans'BeholdtheSunGod'.Thisfitsthecontextperfectlyaswellasbeinglinguisticallysound.6.Thewordgirtablilu,Scorpion‐Man,isareferencetoallorpartofwhatwenowcallScorpio.13.Gilgamesh'spassagethroughthedarknessofthehalfoftheskybelowthehorizon,andrisingjustbeforethesunintheeastagainisaperfectdescriptionoftheheliacalrisingofastar,planetorconstellation,asseenbyanancientastronomer.

TheEpicofGilgamesh

Page|50

TABLETX[Thefirstlineisbrokenoffthetablet.Gilgameshisbeingaddressedbyanunidentifiedcharacter]

...................................................................................

Eatingthefleshofwildthings,dressedintheirskins

OGilgamesh,thisisathingwhichhasnothappened

No,notsolongasmywindshalldrivethewaters.'

Distressedatheart,ShamashtheSun

WenttoGilgameshandsaidtohim:

'Whenceareyoudirectingyourself,Gilgamesh?Youshallnotfindthelifeyouseek.'

ButtovaliantShamashGilgameshspeaks:

'Aftertravelling,afterroamingthesteppe,shallImerelylaymyhead

Downintotheearth'sguts?Andthensleep‐

Sleepforever?No!LetmeseetheSun!SeetheSunandbesatedwithlight!

Ifthereislightenough,thenthedarknessshrinksaway

MaythelightofShamashtheSunbeseenevenbyhewhoisdead!'

(Manylinesarelosthere.Fourdifferentversionsoftheremainderofthistabletareknown(Old

Babylonian,Assyrian,HittiteandHurrian).

‐thelast

SiduritheRefresher,whodwellsbythecelestialSea'sedge,

Whositsthereenthronedattheconfluenceoftherivers,

Forhertheyhavemadeajug,

Forhertheyhavemadeagoldenvat

Inwhichtomakethemashforthebeverage

SheiscoveredwithaveilandGilgameshcomesuptoherand...

Heiscladinskinsofdogs,thefleshofthegodsisinhisbody

Butinhisentrailsthereiswoe;hisfaceisthatofonewhohascomefromafar

TheRefreshergazesintothedistanceandsaystoherself,

Withinherhearttakescounsel:

'Surelythisonewilldomurder!Wherecanhebedirectinghimself...?'

Andasshesawhim,she,theRefresher,lockedthedoor

Barredthegate,securedthebolt.

ButGilgameshheardher.

TheEpicofGilgamesh

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Helduphispointedstaffandplaceditagainstthedoor

Gilgameshsaystoher,saystotheRefresher:

'Refresher,whathaveyousee

Thatleadsyouto....

Lockyourdoor,baryourgate,securethebolt?

Iwillsmashthedoor,shatterthegate!'(2)

[Hereseverallinesarelost.WhenthetextresumesintheOldBabylonianVersion,Sidurihastakenoff

herveilcomeoutandshownherselftoGilgamesh,nowspeakingtoher]

'Hewhoenduredmanyhardshipswithme,whomIsodearlyloved‐Enkidu;

Yes,hewhoenduredmyhardshipswithme!

Henowhasgonetothefatethatawaitsmankind!

DayandnightIhaveweptforhim,Iwouldnotgivehimoverforburial

Forwhatifhehadrisenatmybeseeching?

SixdaysandsevennightsIwaiteduntilawormfelloutofhisnose;

Sincehehasgonethereisnolifeleftforme.

Ihaveroamedthesteppelikeahunterbutoh,Refresher,nowthatIhaveseenyourface,

LetmenotseeDeath,whichIsodread!'

TheRefreshersaidtohim,saidtoGilgamesh:

'Gilgamesh,whencedoyoudirectyourself?Youshallnotfindthelifeyouseek,

ForatthecreationofmankindthegodsallottedDeathtomen.

Theyretainedlifeintheirownhands.

Gilgamesh,letyourbellybefull,makeyoumerrybydayandbynight.

Makeeverydayadayoffeastingandofrejoicingdanceandplay,byday,bynight,

Letyourclothesbesparklingandfreshwashyourhair,batheyourbody

Attendtothebabewhoholdsyoubythehand,takeyourwifeandletherrejoiceinyou.

Forthisisthelotofmankindtoenjoy,butimmortallifeisnotformen.'

[Hereseverallinesarelost]

Gilgameshsaidtoher,saidtoSiduri:

'ORefresher,whatdidyousaythustome?MyheartisstrickenforEnkidu,myfriend.

ORefresher,youdwellhereontheshoreoftheSea.

Youcanseeintoitsfurthestreaches,allthatistherein.

Showmethewaytocrossit.

TheEpicofGilgamesh

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IfitmaybeallowedIwouldcrosstheSea.'

TheRefreshersaidtohim,saidtoGilgamesh:

'Gilgamesh,therehasneverbeenanyonewhohaddonethisthing.

Thewayacrossthesea,whohastakenit?'

Gilgameshsaystoher,saystotheRefresher:

'Islewthewatchmanoftheforest.He,Humbaba‐heoftheCedarForest.

InthemountainpassesIslewlions.'

Sidurisaidtohim,saidtoGilgamesh:

'IfyouareGilgamesh,whoslewthewatchman,whoslewHumbaba‐heoftheCedarForest‐

Andslewlionsinthemountainpasses,seizedandkilledthebullthatcomesdownfromheaven‐

Thenwhyareyourcheekswasted?

Whyisyourfacesunken,

Whyisyourheartsosad,

Whyareyourfeaturesworn,

Whyinyourentrailsistheirwoe,

Whyisyourfacethatofonewhohascomefromafar?

Whyisyourcountenancesearedbyheatandbycold?

Andwhydoyouroamoverthesteppe

Likeonepursuingamerepuffofwind?'

Gilgameshsaystoher,saystoSiduri:

'ORefresher,whyshouldmycheeksnotbewasted?

Myfacesunken,myheartsad,myfeaturesworn?

Whynotinmyentrailsbewoe?

Andmyface‐whyshoulditnotbethatofonewhohascomefromafar?

Asformycountenance‐

Whyshoulditnotbesearedbyheatandcold?

Andasformyroamingoverthesteppe

Asifforamerepuffofwind,whynot?

Myfriend,youngerthanmyself,

Hehuntedthewildassinthehills,

Hechasedthepantheronthesteppe,

Enkidu,myfriend,youngerthanmyself,

TheEpicofGilgamesh

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Whohuntedthewildassinthehills,

Whochasedthepantheronthesteppe,

Wetwowhoconqueredall,climbedall,

WewhoseizedandkilledtheBullofHeaven,

WewholaidholdofHumbaba,

MyfriendwhomIlovedsodearly,

Whoenduredallhardshipswithme,

Henowhasgonetothefatethatawaitsmankind!

SixdaysandsevennightsIweptoverforhim

Untilawormfellouthisnose.

FearingdeathIroamoverthesteppe

Thefateofmyfriendliesheavyuponme.

OndistantwaysIroamthesteppe.

ThefateofEnkidu,myfriend,liesheavyuponme,

HowcanIbesilent?Howbestill?

MyfriendwhomIlovedhasturnedtoclay!

AndI,shalltoo,likehim,liedown

Nevertorise‐

Neveragain‐

Foreverandever?'

Gilgameshsaystoher,saystotheRefresher:

'OGilgamesh,therehasnever

Neverbeenacrossing.Nonewhocamesincethebeginningofdays

Nonecouldcross

OnlyvaliantShamashtheSunmakesthecrossingoftheSea.

WhootherthanShamashtheSuncancrossit?

Difficultistheplaceofcrossing,

Difficultthewaytoit.

InbetweenaretheWatersofDeath

Whichbartheapproaches!

WherewouldyoucrosstheSea,Gilgamesh?

AndwhenyouarrivedattheWatersofDeath,whatwouldyoudo?

TheEpicofGilgamesh

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Ziusudra'sboatmanisthere,Gilgamesh.

HisnameisUrshanabi(4).

Withhimarethelodestones(5).

Intheforesthepicksurnu‐snakes(6).

Letyourfacebeholdhim.

Ifitbepossible,makethecrossingwithhim.

Ifitnotbepossible,retraceyoursteps.'

WhenGilgameshheardthis,

Inhishandheraisedhisaxe

Hedrewhisdaggerfromhisbelt,

Heslippedintotheforest,

Andwentdowntothem.

Hedescendeduponthemlikeanarrow.

Intheforest....

WhenUrshanabisawtheflashofthedagger,

Andheardtheaxe....

Hestruckhishead.......Gilgamesh

Seizedthewings.....thebreast,

Thelodestones......andtheboat.

[Afterthesefragmentarylines,manyaremissingentirely.Bythetimethetextresumes,Urshanabiand

Gilgameshhavemetandareindiscussion.]

Urshanabisaidtohim,saidtoGilgamesh:

'Whyareyourcheekswasted?

Whyisyourfacesunken,

Whyisyourheartsosad,

Whyareyourfeaturesworn,

Whyinyourentrailsistheirwoe,

Whyisyourfacethatofonewhohascomefromafar?

Whyisyourcountenancesearedbyheatandbycold?

Andwhydoyouroamoverthesteppe

Likeonepursuingamerepuffofwind?'

Gilgameshsaidtohim,saidtoUrshanabi:

TheEpicofGilgamesh

Page|55

'OUrshanabi,whyshouldmycheeksnotbewasted?

Myfacesunken,myheartsad,myfeaturesworn?

Whynotinmyentrailsbewoe?

Andmyface‐whyshoulditnotbethatofonewhohascomefromafar?

Asformycountenance‐

Whyshoulditnotbesearedbyheatandcold?

Andasformyroamingoverthesteppe

Asifforamerepuffofwind,whynot?

Myfriend,youngerthanmyself,

Hehuntedthewildassinthehills,

Hechasedthepantheronthesteppe,

Enkidu,myfriend,youngerthanmyself,

Whohuntedthewildassinthehills,

Whochasedthepantheronthesteppe,

Wetwowhoconqueredall,climbedall,

WewhoseizedandkilledtheBullofHeaven,

WewholaidholdofHumbaba,

MyfriendwhomIlovedsodearly,

Whoenduredallhardshipswithme,

Henowhasgonetothefatethatawaitsmankind!

SixdaysandsevennightsIweptoverforhim

Untilawormfellouthisnose.

Fearingdeath,Iroamoverthesteppe,

Thefateofmyfriendliesheavyuponme.

OndistantwaysIroamthesteppe.

ThefateofEnkidu,myfriend,liesheavyuponme.

HowcanIbesilent?

Howbestill?

MyfriendwhomIlovedhasturnedtoclay!

AndI,shalltoo,likehim,liedown,

Nevertorise‐

Neveragain‐

TheEpicofGilgamesh

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Gilgameshalsosaystohim,saystoUrshanabi:

'Now,Urshanabi,whichisthewaytoZiusudra,

HewhosurvivedtheFlood?

Whatisthespecialsign?

Giveme,o,givemeitsspecialsign!

Ifitbepossible,IwillmakeacrossingoftheSea.

Ifitnotbepossible,Iwillroamthesteppe!'

Urshanabisaidtohim,saidtoGilgamesh:

'Gilgamesh,youhavehinderedthecrossing‐

Withyourhandsyouhavedonethis!

Youhavesmashedthelodestones.

OGilgameshthelodestonesbearmealong,

HelpmeavoidtouchingtheWatersofDeath.

Inyourangeryoudidsmashthem,

ThelodestoneswhichIkepttohelpmegetacross!

Youhavealsopickedtheurnu‐snakes.

Thelodestonesaresmashed

Andtherearenournus....

Gilgameshtaketheaxeinyourhand,

Cutthreehundredpunting‐poles(7)whicharesmooth.

.......thelasheslikeaspear.

........intheship.....'

[TheaboveincorporatedanOldBabylonianfragmentrelativelyrecentlydiscovered,whichendshere.

ThemainAssyrianversionnowcontinues,butthenumberofthepolesisdifferent.Insteadof300,

Gilgameshisonlyaskedtocut120.](8)

'Youhavesmashedthelodestones,

Youhavepickedtheurnu‐snakes.

Thelodestonesaresmashed.

Theurnuisnotintheforest.

Gilgamesh,inyourhandraiseyouraxe,

Godownintotheforest,cuttwice‐sixtypunting‐poles,

Eachofsixty‐cubits.

TheEpicofGilgamesh

Page|57

Puttheknobsofbitumenononeendofeach

Attachferrulestotheirotherends,

Thenbringthemtome!'

WhenGilgameshheardthis,

Inhishandheraisedhisaxe,

Hedrewhisdaggerfromhisbelt,

Hewentdownintotheforest,

Hecuttwice‐sixtypuntingpoles,eachofsixtycubits.

Heputtheknobsofbitumenonthem,

Heattachedtheferrules,

AndhebroughtthemtoUrshanabi.

GilgameshandUrshanabithenboardedtheboat.

Theylaunchedtheboatonthewaves

Andtheysailedaway.

Bythe3rddaytheyhadgoneasfar

Asanormalvoyageofamonthand15days.

AndthusUrshanabiarrived

AttheWatersofDeath.

Urshanabisaidtohim,saidtoGilgamesh:

'Presson,Gilgamesh,takeapunting‐pole.

ButletnotyourhandtouchtheWatersofDeath!

Takea2nd,3rd,a4thpole,Gilgamesh,

Takea5th,a6th,a7thpole,Gilgamesh,

Takean8th,a9th,a10thpole,Gilgamesh,

Takean11th,a12pole,Gilgamesh!'

Attwicesixty,Gilgameshhadusedupthepoles.

ThenGilgameshpulledoffhisshirt....

Withhishandhehanditaloftasasail.

Ziusudrapeersintothedistance.

Speakingtohisheart,Hesaysthesewords,takescounselwithhimself:

'Whyhavethelodestonesoftheboatbeenbroken?

Whydoesonewhoisnothermasterrideinher?

TheEpicofGilgamesh

Page|58

Themanwhocomeshereisnotoneofmymen

And....

Ipeer,butIcannotsee...

Ipeer,butIcannotsee...

Ipeer,but

[Manylinesaremissingatthispoint.GilgameshdisembarksandmeetsZiusudra.Fragmentarywords

hereandthere,however,makeitclearthatmostofwhatislostismererepetitionofthesetquestions

andrepliesbetweenthemwhichGilgameshahsalreadyexchangedwithbothSiduriandUrshanabi.The

textconvenientlyresumesasthisexchangeends:]

Gilgameshfurthersaidtohim,saidtoZiusudra:

'Ibeholdyounow,oZiusudra,YouwhomtheycalltheFaraway.

AndthatImightdothis,Ihavebeenawandereroverallthelands,

Havecrossedmanydifficultmountains,crossedalltheseas!

WithwakingIhavebeenwearied.

Myjointsache,arefilledwithwoe.

MygarmentswerewornoutbeforeIevencametoSiduritheRefresher'shouse.

Ihavekilledbear,hyena,lion,panther,tiger,stag,ibex,

Allthewildofthesteppe

Andallthecreepingthingsofthesteppe

Iatetheirflesh,Iwrappedmyselfintheirskins,

...letthembarhergate,withpitchandbitumen....

(Heretwolinesarelost)

Ziusudrasaidtohim,saidtoGilgamesh:

'OGilgamesh,whysofullofwoe?

Whowascreatedinthefleshofgod

Inthefleshofman....?

Whenyourfatherandyourmother

Madeyou,who......?

WhenwasthereforGilgamesh

Inhisfeebleness....

EstablishedanyseatintheAssemblyoftheGods

Thatyou....

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Or.....begiventohim....

Likebutter?...

Tahhu‐flour...

Andkakkushu‐flour,

Whichlike....

....swiftlike....

Andhelikenibihu‐garment

Sincethereisno....

Thereisnowordofadvice

....beforehimGilgamesh

....theirlord.....'

[Herethirty‐threelinesarelost.ThetextresumeswithZiusudra'swiseremarkstoGilgameshonthe

impossibilityofpermanenceinthisworld:]

'Mankind,whichlikeareedstandsfragile

Afineyoungman,afineyoungwoman....

Thesetoomustdie.

Shouldnooneseedeath?

Shouldnoonemeetthenthisend?'

[Heretwolinesaremissing]

'Dowebuildahousetostandforever?

Arecontractssealedforever?

Dobrothersdividetheirinheritancetolastforever?

Doeshatredremainintheheartforever?

Doesthestreamwhichhasriseninspate

Bringtorrentsforever?

Thedragonflyemergesandflies

ButitsfaceintheSunforbutaday

Isthisforever?

Fromthedaysofyoretherehasbeennopermanence.

Thesleepingandthedead‐howaliketheyare!

Dothesleepingnotcomposeaverypictureofdeath?

Thecommonman,thenobleman,

TheEpicofGilgamesh

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Oncetheyhavereachedtheendoflife,

Areallgatheredinasone,

BytheAnunnaki,theGreatGods,

Andshe,Mammetum,

SheofFate‐

Shedecreesthedestinies.

Togethertheydeterminedeath

Determinelife

Asforlife,itsdaysarerevealed,

Butasfordeath

Itsdayisneverrevealed.'

NOTESONTABLETX1.TheGreektraditionofsoulsdrinkingthewatersofLetheorForgetfulness,mayhavebeenderivedfromthetavernoftheBabylonians.CampbellThompsoncallsSiduritheproviderofstrongwatersandtheWineMaker.Heidelcallsherthebarmaid,andSpeiserreferstoherastheale‐wife.ApparentlyBabyloniantavernswererunbywomenratherthanmen,sothatSiduri'ssexisusualinthisroleandmayhavenospecialsignificance.IchosetocallherRefresherinsteadofBarmaidorAle‐Wife.7.Withoutcompassorpaddles(seenotes5and6above)Urshanabiwouldneedsomeothermethodofsteeringhisboat‐hencetherequestforpunting‐poles.9.PuntingpolesexactlylikethisarestillusedinIraq.

TheEpicofGilgamesh

Page|61

TABLETXIGilgameshsaidtohim,saidtoZiusudratheFaraway:

'Ilookuponyounow,Ziusudra,butyourappearanceisnotstrange.Youarelikemyself.Ihadimagined

youasagreatwarrior.Butyoulieonyourside,recliningatease.

Tellme,howdidyouentertheAssemblyoftheGods‐howfindeverlastinglife?'

Ziusudrasaidtohim,saidtoGilgamesh:

'OGilgamesh,Iwilldiscloseuntoyouahiddenthing.Yes,asecretofthegodswillItelluntoyou:

YouknowthecityShuruppak,whichliesupontheRiverEuphrates.Thatcitywasofgreatantiquity

Andancientwerethegodswhostilllivedwithinit

Intheirheartstheyresolved,tobringontheGreatFlood

Inthosedaystheworldteemed,thepeoplemultiplied,theworldbellowedlikeawildbull,andthegreat

godwasarousedbytheclamour.Enlilheardtheclamourandhesaidtothegodsincouncil,'Theuproar

ofmankindisintolerableandsleepisnolongerpossiblebyreasonofthebabel.'Sothegodsagreedto

exterminatemankind

'PresenttherewereAntheGreatGod

ValiantEnlil,hisson,CounseloroftheGods,

TheirassistantNinurta,theGodofWarandHunting,

Ennugi,theirinspectorofcanals,

AndalsoNinigiku,whichistosayEnki‐

Forhetoowaspresentwiththem.

AndEnkirepeatswhattheysaytoZiusudra,

SpeakingthroughthewallofZiusudra'sreedhut:

'Reedhut,reedhut!Wallofthehut,wallofthehut!

Listenoreedhut!Consider,owallofthehut!

OmanofShuruppak,oyousonofUbara‐Tutu,

Teardownyourhutofreeds,

Buildofthemareedboat,abandonthings.

Seeklife,giveuppossessions,keepyoursoulalive!

Andintotheboattaketheseedofalllivingcreatures.

Theboatyouwillbuildwillhavedimensionscarefullymeasured

Itslengthanditswidthshallbeequal,

TheEpicofGilgamesh

Page|62

AndroofitasIhavemysubterraneanwateryabyss."

IunderstoodandsaidtomylordEnki:

"Mylord,behold.Whathaveyoucommandedofme

ShallIhonorandcarryout.Buttellme,whatshallIanswer

Tothecity,tothepeople,totheelders?"

Enkiopenedhismouthtospeak,saidtome,hisservant:

"Thus,OMortal,shallyouspeaktothem,saying

IhavelearnedthatthegodEnlilisill‐disposedtowardme

NolongercanIresidehereinthecity.

Neveragain,no,never.

CanIturnmyfacetothissoilwhichisEnlil's.

Imustgodowntherefore,

DowntodwellwithmylordEnki,

Towardsthemarshesofthesouth,

Andenterhissweet‐wateredDeep

IntohisveryAbyss(2).

Buthewillshowerdownuponyou

Abundanceandplenty.

Thechoicestofbirds,therarestoffishes.

Oh,whatgreatharvestrichesshallthislandenjoy!

Yes,Hewhoordersthegrainheadsintheevening

WhatashowerofwheatshallHeraindownuponyou!'"(3)

Onthehorizonthereappeared

Thefirstintimationsofdawn.

Thelandwasgatheredaboutme.

[Heretwolinesaremissing.Whenthetextresumes,ZiusudraisstillspeakingtoGilgamesh]

Thechildbroughtbitumen,

ThestrongbroughttherestofwhatwasneededandonthefifthdayIlaidouttheplan

Thefloorspacewasoneiku(4)

Itssidesweretengarhigh;eachedgeofitssquareroofmeasuredtengar(5)

Idelineateditsexteriorshapeandfashionedittogether,

Cross‐pinneditsixtimes(6),thusdividingitintoseven(7)

TheEpicofGilgamesh

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AndthegroundplanIdividedintonineparts(8),Idrovewaterplugsintoit,

Sawtothepuntingholesandlaidupwhatwasneedful

IntothefurnaceIpouredsix[orthree]sharmeasures(9)ofbitumen

Followedbythreesharmeasuresofasphalt.

Thebasket‐bearerscarriedthreesharmeasuresofoil

Besidesonesharmeasuresofoilstowedawayfortheboatman(10)

Islaughteredbullocksforthepeople,everydayIslewsheep(11)

Asthoughitwereriverwater,Igavetotheworkmen

Redwine,whitewine,must,oil

TofeastasifitwereNewYear'sday

Iopenedthecontainerandlaidmyhandsinunguent.

Ontheseventhdaytheboatwascompleted.......wasverydifficult

Theedgesoftheflooraboveandbelow

Showed2/3ofthefloor[wereabove,1/3below?](12)

WhateverIhadIloadedaboard,

WhateverIhadofsilverIloadedaboard,

WhateverIhadofgoldIloadedaboard

WhateverIhadofseedofalllivingcreatures

Iloadedaboard.

Icausedallmyfamilyandkinsfolktogoaboard.

Thebeastsofthefield,thewildcreaturesoftheplain,

Allthecraftsmen‐alltheseImadetogoaboard.

ShamashtheSunhadsetformeaspecifictime,saying:

'WhenHewhorainsdownHismisfortuneinthetwilight

DoesraindownHismisfortunelikeablight,

Thenboardyourboatwithoutfurtherado

Andmakesureyourdoorissafelypulledto.'

Thatprecisetimehadindeedarrived:

'WhenHewhorainsdownHismisfortuneinthetwilight

DoesraindownHismisfortunelikeablight'.

[ThisrhymedutteranceprovidesthetruemessageofEnki'sdisguisedmessagetothepeopleof

Shuruppakgivenearlier]

TheEpicofGilgamesh

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Iscrutinizedalltheweathersigns;

Howawesomewastheweathertobehold!

Iboardedtheboatwithoutfurtheradoandmadesurethatthedoorwassafelypulledto.

Icommittedthenavigationofthegreathouseanditscontents

TotheboatmanPuzur‐Amurri(14).

Whenonthehorizon

Thefirstintimationsofdawn

Ablackcloudrosefromthehorizon(15)

InsideitAdadthestormthundered,

WhileShullatandHanish,thestorm‐heralds,roseahead,

Movingasadvancemessengersoverhillandplain.

Nergal,theGodoftheUnderworld,toreouttheposts.

Ninurta,theGodofWarandIrrigation,cameforthandburstthedikes.

TheAnunnaki‐theGreatGods‐raisedtheirtorches,

Lightingupthelandwiththeirbrightness.

AstonishmentatAdadtheStormreachedtotheveryheavens.

Heturnedtoblacknessallthathadbeenvisible.

Hebrokethelandlikeapot.

ForawholedaytheSouthStormblew,

Gatheringspeedasitblew,drowningthemountains,

Overcomingthepeopleasinbattle.

Brothersawnotbrother.

Fromheavennomortalcouldanylongerbeseen.

Eventhegodswerestruckbyterroratthedeluge,

And,fleeing,theyascendedtothecelestialbandofAn(16).

Thegodscoweredlikedogs(17),

Crouchingbytheouterwallofthatcelestialband.

Inanna,GoddessofLoveandBattle,criedoutlikeasufferingmortal‐

She,thesweet‐voiced,

She,theLadyoftheGods,

Howdidshelamentaloud,crying:

'Verily,theOldAgehascrumbledintodust!

TheEpicofGilgamesh

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BecauseIspokeevilintheAssemblyofGods!

Oh,howcouldIcommandhavocforthedestructionofmypeople

WhenImyselfgavebirthtomypeople?

Nowthespawnoffishes,theseaisgluttedwiththeirbodies!'

TheAnunnaki‐theGreatGods‐weptwithher,

TheirlipswereshuttightindistressintheAssembly,oneandall.

Forsixdaysandsevennights

ThefloodwindblewastheSouthStormswepttheland.

Atsunriseintheseventhday

TheSouthStorm,bringeroftheflood,and

Whichhadfoughtlikeanarmy,abateditsattack.

Theseagrewquieter,thestormsubsided,thefloodceased.

Ilookedattheweather;ithadgonequiet.

Allmenhadreturnedtoclay.

Thelandhadbeenleveledlikeaterrace.

Oopenedadoveflap

Andlightfelluponmyface.

Ibowed,satdownandwept,

Tearsflowingdownmycheeks.

Ipeeredineverydirectionbuttheseawaseverywhere,

Ineachofthe14regions

Thereemergedamountainpeakforthatpoint(18).

TheboatcametorestonMountNisir(19).

MountNisirheldtheboatfast,

Allowingnoshiftingposition.

Oneday,asecondday,MountNisirheldtheboatfast,

Allowingnoshiftingposition.

A3rdday,a4thdayanda6thday,MountNisirheldtheboatfast,

Allowingnoshiftingposition.

Whentheseventhdaydawned,

Ibroughtadoveoutandsetitfree.

Thedovewentforthbutthenreturned.

TheEpicofGilgamesh

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Thedovefoundnoresting‐placeandturnedback(20).

Ibroughtoutaswallowandsetitfree.

Theswallowwentforthbutthenreturned

Theswallowfoundnoresting‐placeandturnedback(21).

Ibroughtoutaravenandsetitfree.

Theravenflewforthbutsawthewatersweresinking,

Sheate,circled,croaked,butdidnotreturnback.

ThenIsentforthallthefourwinds

Andofferedasacrifice

Onthepeakofthemountain

Ipouredoutalibation.

Twicesevenwerethecult‐vesselsIsetup,

Heapingupontheirpot‐standssweetcane,

Cedar,myrthle,

Thegodssmelledthesavor.

Thegodsgatheredlikefliersaroundthesacrifice.

NowwhenInanna,theLadyoftheGods,arrived,

SheliftedupthemagnificentjewelswhichAntheGreatgod

Hadmadeaccordingtoherdesire,andsaid:

'Oyegodsherepresent!

JustassurelyasIshallnotforget

Thelapislazuliaroundmyneck,

SoshallIrememberthesedays,

Neverforgettingthem.

Letthegodscometotheoffering.

ButletnotEnlilcometotheoffering;

Forhe,unreasoning,broughtonthedeluge

Anddeliveredmypeopleovertodestruction!'

NowwhenEnlilarrivedandsawtheboat,

Hewaxedwroth,

HewasfilledwithfuryagainsttheheavenlyIgigigodsandsaid:

'What!‐Hasanymortalescaped?

TheEpicofGilgamesh

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Nomortalwastosurvivethedestruction!'

Ninurta,GodofWar,openedhismouthtospeak,saidtovaliantEnlil:

'WhobesidesthegodEnkicoulddevisesuchaplan?

ThegodEnkialoneunderstandseverymatter.'

Enkiopenedhismouthtospeak,sayingtovaliantEnlil:

'Owisestofgods,Ogreatwarriorhero,

Howcouldyou,takingnocounsel,

Bringonthedeluge?

Hewhohassinned,onhimlayhissin.

Hewhohastransgressed,onhimlayhistransgression

Butohbemerciful,lestallbedestroyed.

Belongsuffering,thatmanmaynotperish.

Ratherthanyourbringingonthedeluge,

Oh,thatalionhadcometodiminishmankind!

Ratherthanyoubringingonthedeluge,

Oh,thatafaminehadarisen

Tolaymankindlow.

Ratherthanyoubringinginthedeluge

Oh,thatErra,godofPestilence,hadcome

Tostrikemankinddown.

Whatismore,itwasnotI

NotIwhorevealedtheSecretoftheGreatGods,

IallowedZiusudra,hehoaboundsinwisdom

Toseeadream

Itwasthusthatheperceived

ThesecretoftheGreatGods

Nowthentakecounselconcerninghim.'

ThenEnlilwentupintotheship.

Hegraspedmyhand,

Hecausedmetogoaboard,

Hecausedmywifetogoaboard,

Hemadehertokneelbesideme

TheEpicofGilgamesh

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Hestoodtherebetweenus,

Hetouchedourforeheadsandblessedus;

"Untilnow,Ziusudrahasbeenamoremortal

ButfromnowshallZiusudraandhiswife

Belikeuntousgods.

Ziusudrashallresidefaraway‐

Attheconfluenceofthecelestialrivers‐

Thereshallhedwell!"

Andsotheytookmeandmademeresidefaraway,

Attheconfluenceofthecelestialrivers.

Butnow,oGilgamesh,asforyou,

Whowillassemblethegodsforyou

ThatyoumayfindtheLifethatyouseek?

Come,donotliedown,sleepnot

Forsixdaysandsevennights'.(22)

Ashesitsonhishaunches,

Sleepbreathesuponhimlikealightraininamist(23).

Ziusudrasaystoher,saystohiswife:

'Behold,thestrongonewhoseeksLife‐Everlasting!

Sleepbreathesuponhimlikeraininamist.'

Hiswifesaystohim,toZiusudratheFaraway:

'Oh,touchhim

Letthemanawake,

Thathemayreturninpeace

Alongtheroutebywhichhecame.

Thathemayreturntohisland

Bytheportalthroughwhichhecame.;

Ziusudrasaystoher,saystohiswife:

'Mankindbeingwicked,hewillseektodeceiveyou.

Bakesomelittlecakesofbread

Andputthembyhishead.

Sheputthesebyhishead

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Andshemarkedonthewallthedaysheslept.

Hisfirstcakeofbreaddriedout,

Hissecondwasgonebad,

Histhirdwasmoistandsoggy,

Hisfourthturnedwhite,

Hisfifthhadamoldylook,

His6thwasstillfresh

His7th‐justashewastouched,heawoke.

GilgameshsaystoZiusudra,theFaraway:

'Hardlydidsleepstealoverme,whensuddenlyyoutouchedmeandwokeme!'

Ziusudrasaystohim

SaystoGilgamesh:

'Notso,Gilgamesh!Countyourcakesofbread,

Theywillshowyouhowmanydaysyouhaveslept.

Thefirstcakeisdriedout,

Thesecondisgonebad,

Thethirdismoistandsoggy,

Thecrustofthefourthhasturnedwhite,

Thefifthhasamoldylook,

Thesixthisstillfresh.

Theseventh,themomentitwasbaked‐atthisinstantyoudidawaken.'

Gilgameshsaystohim

SaystoZiusudratheFaraway:

'Ah,butwhatshallIdo,Ziusudra?

WhereshallIgo?

NowthattheSnatcherhaslaidholdofmyentrails?

Deathlurksinmybedchamber,deathfollowsmyfootstepsalready!'

Ziusudrasaystohim,

SaystoUrshanabitheBoatman

'Urshanabi,maythelanding‐placenotwelcomeyou.

Maytheplaceofcrossingrejectyou!

Hewhoapproachesitssurroundingrim

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Denyhimitsrim!'(25)

Themanbeforewhosefaceyouhavewalked

Whosebodyiscoveredinlonghair

Thegraceofwhoseformskinshavedistorted

Lethimwashhislonghaircleanassnowinwater‐

Lethimthrowoffhisskins,

Lettheseacarrythemaway,

Sothatthefairnessofhisbodymaybeseen

Lethimplaceanewbandaroundhishead

Lethimcoverhisnakednesswithafreshgarment

Untilhewillaccomplishhisjourney

Letnothisgarmenthaveamoldylook‐

Letitbequitenew.'

Urshanabitookhimandbroughthimtotheplaceofcleansing

Hewashedhislonghair

Hethrewoffhisskins

Thattheseemightcarrythemaway,

Thatthefairnessofhisbodymightbeseen

Heplacedanewbandaroundhishead

Hecoveredhisnakednesswithafreshgarment,

Untilheshouldarriveinhiscity,

Untilheshouldaccomplishhisjourney.

Thegarmentdidnothaveamoldylook

Butwasquitenew.

GilgameshandUrshanabiboardedtheship.

Theylaunchedtheshiponthewavesandtheyglidedforth,

Hiswifesaystohim

SaystoZiusudratheFaraway:

'Gilgameshhascomehither,

Hehasweariedhimself,

Hehasexertedhimself.

Whatgiftwillyoumaketohim(26)

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Thathemayreturntohisland?'

Thathe,Gilgamesh,raiseduphispole,

Andbroughttheshipheartotheshore(27).

Ziusudrasaystohim

SaystoGilgamesh:

'Gilgamesh,youhavecomehither,

Youhaveweariedyourself,

Youhaveweariedyourself.

WhatgiftshallImaketoyou

Thatyoumayreturntoyourland?

Gilgamesh,Iwilldiscloseuntoyou

Ahiddenthing.

Yes,asecretofthegodswillItelluntoyou:

Thereisaplant,

Itsthornislikethebuckthorn,

Itsthornswillprickyourhands

Asdoestherose

Ifthatplantshallcometoyourhands

Youwillfindnewlife'.

NosoonerhadGilgameshheardthis

Thanheopenedthewater‐pipe(28)

Hetiedheavystonesonhisfeetinthemannerofthepearldivers

Theypulledhimdownintothedeep

Therehesawtheplant.

Hetooktheplant,thoughitprickedhishands.

Hecuttheheavystonesfromhisfeet

Theseacasthimupuponitsshore

Gilgameshsaystohim

SaystoUrshanabitheBoatman:

'Urshanabi,thisistheplantthatisdifferentfromallothers.

Byitsmeansamancanlayholdofthebreathoflife.

IshalltakeittoUrukoftheramparts.

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Ishallcause....

Toeattheplant....

ItshallbecalledManBecomesYounginOldAge.

Imyselfshalleatit,

thatImayreturntothestateofmyyouth.'

ThereImyselfshalleattheplantthatImayreturntothestateofmyyouth.'

After20intervalstheybrokeoffamorsel.

After30morerestedforthenight.

Gilgameshsawawellwhosewaterwascool

Hedescendedintoittobatheinthewater

Aserpentsmelledthefragranceoftheplant

Itdartedupfromthewellandseizedtheplant:

Sloughingitsskininrejuvenationasitreturned.

ThenGilgameshsatdownandwept.

Histearsfloweddownhischeeks.

HetookthehandofUrshanabi,theBoatman:

'Forwhomhavemyhandslabored,Urshanabi?

Forwhomhasmyheart'sbloodbeenspent?

Ihavenotobtainedanyadvantageformyself.

Ihaveonlyobtainedanadvantagefortheearth‐lion(29)'.

Andnowthetidewillbearittwenty‐doublehoursaway!

WhenIopenedthewater‐pipe

And...thegear

Inotedthesignwhichwassetforme

Asawarning:Ishallwithdraw,

Andleavetheshipontheshore.'

Aftertwentyintervals

Theybrokeamorsel

Andthirtymore

Restedforthenight(30)

WhentheyarrivedinUrukoftheramparts

Gilgameshsaystohim

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SaystoUrshanabitheBoatman:

'Goup,Urshanabi,walkontherampartsofUruk(31)

Seethefoundationterrace

Touch,then,themasonry‐

Isnotthisofburntbrick

Andgood?Isay

Thesevensageslaiditsfoundation

Onethirdiscity.Onethirdisorchards.Onethirdismarginland.

There,thereistheprecinctofthetempleofInanna/Ishtar

Thesethreeparts

Andtheprecinct

CompriseUruk

(WrittendownaccordingtoitsoriginalandcollatedPalaceofAshurbanipal,KingoftheWorld,Kingof

Assyria).

NOTESTOTABLETXI5.Tengarisequalto120cubitsandacubitisthoughttohavebeenroughlyhalfameterinmodernmeasurements.Thatmeansthatthemeasurementsofthisoriginalarkwereameresixtymetersoneachside,whichisapproximatelythesizeofalargehouse.Clearlytherewasnoroominsidesuchasmallstructureforthebiblicaltwoofeverykind.Itismysteriouswhatthesemeasurementsareintendedtoconveytous.Wasthereanyactualcubicalstructureofthesedimensionsbuiltsomewhere?Wedonotknow.Itwouldbeinterestingtocomparethesemeasurementswiththedimensionsoftemplesexcavatedbyarcheologists.Sacredbuildingsmayhaveattemptedtoemulateorreproducethesedimensions,andarcheologistsmaywellnothavethoughttolookforsuchcorrespondences.6.Geometrically,thisindicatestheconstructionofacubefromacentraljointwithastrutaffixedtothecentreofeachofthesixfaces.11.DivinationbytheentrailsofsheeponadailybasiswouldbecustomaryforsuchanenterpriseasthisamongtheBabylonians:themeatwouldafterwardsbeconsumed.Knowledgeofthiswouldbetakenforgrantedamongstallthepoet/compliers’contemporaries,obviatinganyneedforcommentorexplanation.12.Thispassageisfragmentary.Two‐thirdsispreservedandisknownnottorefertotheentireshipbecauseofamasculinepronominalsuffix,whereasthenounfortheboatisfeminine.Itmustthereforerefertothefloor.ThemeaningmaybethatthelowerofthethreehorizontalstripsofthefloorcorrespondedtothesouthernskybandofEnki‐belowtheequator.13.CyrusGordonwrylyobservesthatZiusudradisregardsEnki'sadvicetoleaveallhispossessionsbehind.21.Swallowswereusedintheancientworldasmessengerbirds,inthesamewayasweredoves‐orcarrier‐pigeons,aswecallthesespecializedbirdstoday.Thereismuchevidencetosuggestthatmessengerbirdswereusedbythepriestsaswellasbythelong‐distancenavigatorsofantiquity.Plinyreferstotheuseofshore‐sightingbirdsbynavigatorsfromCeyloninRomantimes.ButfarearliernauticalusesofshoresightingdovesarerecountedinhisbookPrehistoricCretebyR.W.Hutchinson,

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whomaintainsthatSumerianseacaptainsmusthavebeenusingthembythethirdmillenniumBC.JasonusedtheminhisArgovoyageaswell.Inancienttimestherewasasecretcarrier‐pigeonandcarrier‐swallownetworkconnectingtheoraclecenterswhichenabledtheprieststobeininstanttouchbybirdtelegraphysothattheycouldfakeoracularpropheciesbygettinginformationinadvance.Thereturningofthedoveandoftheswallowareesotericreferencestothisnetwork,intendedtobeunintelligibletotheuninitiated.Similarly,anesotericEgyptianpunispreservedintheuseoftheexpressionturnedbackasappliedtoZiusudra'sdoveandswallow.UninEgyptianmeansdovecote,butitalsomeanstoturnback.Thispunthusreferredtothedovesfromtheunperforminganun.OnceagainweseethetraceofasacredEgyptianpunlingeringoninalanguagewhereithadceasedanylongertobeapunorhaveadoublemeaning.24.OnceagainwehaveatraditionderivingfromtheEgyptians.Thereferenceistothenon‐phoneticEgyptianhieroglyphfor'time',whichwasalittleroundbakedcakeofbread.Thebreadcakesarethusvisual/wordpunsexpressingthepassageoftime.25.Thewordahu,whichappearsintheoriginaltext,shouldnotbetranslatedas'shore'.SpeiserandHeidelforcethatmeaningontheword,whereasitreallymeansrim,edge,surroundingregion.Notmanylineslater,andagainafterthat,thecorrectwordforshore,kibru,occursandrecurs(seenote27below),demonstratingbyitsproximityandconstantusethatahucannothavebeenintendedinthesenseofshore.Oncemore,therimofthecosmicwheelbywhichGilgameshtravelledtoZiusudrainthefirstplaceisreferredtohere(seealsoTabletIX,note1).

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Note:ThedeathofGilgamesh,alsosometimescalled“TabletXII”isonlyincludedasa

tangentialresource,itisnotgenerallyattachedtotheoriginaleleventablets,thoughit

describesthedeathofGilgamesh.ItisreprintedfromthePenguinClassicseditionoftheEpic.

TheDeathofGilgamesh

ThistoowastheworkofGilgamesh,theking,whoknewthecountriesoftheworld.Hewas

wise,hesawmysteriesandknewsecretthings,hebroughtusataleofthedaysbeforethe

flood.Hewentalongjourney,wasweary,wornoutwithlabor,andreturningengravedona

stonethewholestory.

Thedestinywasfulfilledwhichthefatherofthegods,Enlilofthemountain,haddecreedfor

Gilgamesh:‘Innether‐earththedarknesswillshowhimalight;ofmankind,allthatareknown,

nonewillleaveamonumentforgenerationstocometocomparewithhis.Theheroes,thewise

men,likethenewmoonhavetheirwaxingandwaning.Menwillsay,“Whohaseverruleswith

mightandwithpowerlikehim?”Asinthedarkmonth,themonthofshadows,sowithouthim

thereisnolight.OGilgamesh,thiswasthemeaningofyourdream.Youweregiventhe

kingship,suchwasyourdestiny,everlastinglifewasnotyourdestiny.Becauseofthisdonotbe

sadatheart,donotbegrievedoroppressed;hehasgivenyoupowertobindandtoloose,to

bethedarknessandthelightofmankind.Hehasgivenunexampledsupremacyoverthe

people,invictoryinbattlefromwhichnofugitivereturns,inforaysandassaultsfromwhich

thereisnogoingback.Butdonotabusethispower,dealjustlywithyourservantsinthepalace,

dealjustlybeforethefaceoftheSun.’

Thekinghaslainhimselfdownandwillnotriseagain,

TheLordofMullahwillnotriseagain;

Heovercameevil,hewillnotcomeagain;

Thoughhewasstrongofarmhewillnotriseagain;

Hehadwisdomandacomelyface,hewillnotcomeagain;

Heisgoneintothemountain,hewillnotcomeagain;

Onthebedoffatehelies,hewillnotriseagain,

Fromthecouchofmanycolourshewillnotcomeagain.

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Thepeopleofthecity,greatandsmall,arenotsilent;theyliftupthelament,allmenofflesh

andbloodliftupthelament.Fatehasspoken;likeahookedfishheliesstretchedonabed,like

agazellethatiscaughtinanoose.InhumanNamtarisheavyuponhim,Namtarthathasneither

handnorfoot,thatdrinksnowaterandeatsnomeat.

ForGilgamesh,sonofNinsun,theyweighedouttheirofferings;hisdearwife,hisson,his

concubine,hismusicians,hisjester,andallhishousehold;hisservants,hisstewards,allwho

livedinthepalaceweighedouttheirofferingsforGilgameshthesonofNinsun,theheartof

Uruk.TheyweighedouttheirofferingstoEreshkigal,theQueenofDeath,andtoallthegodsof

thedead.ToNamtar,whoisfate,theyweighedouttheoffering.BreadforNetitheKeeperof

theGate,breadforNingizzidathegotoftheserpent,thelordoftheTreeofLife;forDumuzi

also,theyoungshepherd,forEnkiandNinki,forEndukuggaandNindukugga,forEnmuland

Ninmul,alltheancestralgods,forbearsofEnlil.AfeastforShulpaethegodoffeasting.For

Samuqan,godoftheherds,forthemotherNinhursag,andthegodsofcreationintheplaceof

creation,forthehostofheaven,priestandpriestessweighedouttheofferingforthedead.

Gilgamesh,thesonofNinsun,liesinthetomb.Attheplaceofofferingsheweighedthebread

offering,attheplaceoflibationhepouredoutthewine.InthosedaysthelordGilgamesh

departed,thesonofNinsun,theking,peerless,withoutandequalamongmen,whodidnot

neglectEnlilhismaster.OGilgamesh,lordofKullab,greatisthypraise.

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