Gilgamesh map

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dlestick, and light the lamps thereof. 5 And thou shalt set the golden altar for incense before the ark of the testimo- ny, and put the screen of the door to the tabernacle. 6 And thou shalt set the altar of burnt-offering before the door of the tabernacle of the tent of meeting. 7 And thou shalt set the laver between the tent of meeting and the altar, and shalt put water therein. 8 And thou shalt set up the court round about, and hang up the screen of the gate of the court. 9 And thou shalt take the anointing oil, and anoint the tabernacle, and all that is therein, and shalt hallow it, and all the furniture thereof: and it shall be holy. 10 And thou shalt anoint the altar of burnt-offering, and all its vessels, and sanctify the altar: and the altar shall be most holy. 11 And thou shalt anoint the laver and its base, and sanctify it. 12 And thou shalt bring Aaron and his sons unto the door of the tent of meeting, and shalt wash them with water. 13 And thou shalt put upon Aaron the holy garments; and thou shalt anoint him, and sanctify him, that he may minister unto me in the priest’s office. 14 And thou shalt bring his sons, and put coats upon them; 15 and thou shalt anoint them, as thou didst anoint their father, that they may minister unto me in the priest’s office: and their anointing shall be to them for an everlasting priesthood throughout their generations.

16 Thus did Moses: according to all that Jehovah commanded him, so did he. 17 And it came to pass in the first month in the second year, on the first day of the month, that the tabernacle

was reared up. 18 And Moses reared up the tabernacle, and laid its sockets, and set up the boards thereof, and put in the bars thereof, and reared up its pillars. 19 And he spread the tent over the tabernacle, and put the covering of the tent above upon it; as Jehovah commanded Moses.

20 And he took and put the testimony into the ark, and set the staves on the ark, and put the mercy-seat above upon the ark: 21 and he brought the ark into the tabernacle, and set up the veil of the screen, and screened the ark of the testimony; as Jehovah commanded Moses.

22 And he put the table in the tent of meeting, upon the side of the tabernacle northward, without the veil. 23 And he set the bread in order upon it before Jehovah; as Jehovah commanded Moses.

24 And he put the candlestick in the tent of meeting, over against the table, on the side of the tabernacle south- ward. 25 And he lighted the lamps before Jehovah; as Jehovah commanded Moses.

26 And he put the golden altar in the tent of meeting before the veil: 27 and he burnt thereon incense of sweet spices; as Jehovah commanded Moses.

28 And he put the screen of the door to the tabernacle. 29 And he set the altar of burnt-offering at the door of the tabernacle of the tent of meeting, and offered upon it the burnt-offering and the meal-offering; as Jehovah com- manded Moses.

30 And he set the laver between the tent of meeting and the altar, and put water therein, wherewith to wash. 31 And Moses and Aaron and his sons washed their hands and their feet thereat; 32 when they went into the tent of meeting, and when they came near unto the altar, they washed; as Jehovah commanded Moses. 33 And he reared up the court round about the tabernacle and the altar, and set up the screen of the gate of the court. So Moses finished the work.

34 Then the cloud covered the tent of meeting, and the glory of Jehovah filled the tabernacle. 35 And Moses was not able to enter into the tent of meeting, because the cloud abode thereon, and the glory of Jehovah filled the tab- ernacle. 36 And when the cloud was taken up from over the tabernacle, the children of Israel went onward, through- out all their journeys: 37 but if the cloud was not taken up, then they journeyed not till the day that it was taken up. 38 For the cloud of Jehovah was upon the tabernacle by day, and there was fire therein by night, in the sight of all the house of Israel, throughout all their journeys.

THE EpIC oF GILGAMESH

Oral and written versions between ca. 2500-1400 B.C.E. Sumer/Babylon

The story of Gilgamesh survives as the oldest epic in literature because it was preserved by rival societies in ancient Mesopotamia. The Sumerian story of this king of Uruk (modern day Warka in Iraq), who reigned around approximately 2700 B.C.E., was retold and rewritten by Babylonian, Assyrian, and Hittite scribes. The Standard Version, which modern scholars attribute to an Assyrian scribe/priest, combines many of the previous oral and written variants of the tale. The version of the epic presented here is a compilation of the Standard Version (which contains gaps where the tablets are damaged) and a variety of Assyrian, Babylonian, and Hittite versions that were discovered later. In the story, Gilgamesh (who is two-thirds divine and one-third human, a marvel of modern genetics) initially befriends Enkidu (also engineered by the gods) and then goes on a quest for immortality when he realizes that even semi-divine beings must die. Kept in the library of the Assyrian King Assurbanipal, the twelve clay tablets with the Standard Version were accidentally saved when, during the sack of Nineveh in 612 B.C.E., the

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walls of the library were caved in on the tablets. Archeologists discovered the eleventh tablet in the mid-1800s, which contains an account of the flood story that pre-dates the written version of the Biblical account of Noah, leading to the recovery of all twelve tablets, plus additional fragments. In 2003, in Warka, they found what is believed to be the tomb of Gilgamesh himself.

Sumerian/Babylonian Gods:

• An (Babylonian: Anu): god of heaven; may have been the main god before 2500 B.C.E.

• ninhursag (Babylonian: Aruru, Mammi): moth- er goddess; created the gods with An; assists in creation of man.

• Enlil (Babylonian: Ellil): god of air; pantheon leader from 2500 B.C.E.; “father” of the gods be- cause he is in charge (although An/Anu is actually the father of many of them); king of heaven & earth.

• Enki (Babylonian: Ea): lord of the abyss and wis- dom; god of water, creation, and fertility.

• nanna (Babylonian: Sin): moon god. • Inanna (Babylonian: Ishtar): goddess of love,

war, and fertility. • Utu (Babylonian: Shamash): god of the sun and

justice. • ninlil (Babylonian: Mullitu, Mylitta): bride of

Enlil.

Written by Laura J. Getty

Editor’s Note: I am combining two open access translations (one by R. Campbell Thompson and one by Wil- liam Muss-Arnolt). I have made changes freely to those texts in the interests of readability: accepting many suggest- ed additions, deleting others, altering word choice, adding some punctuation, and eliminating some of the more archaic language. By combining the two translations, the resulting text is as complete as I can make it at this point; the Thompson translation in particular draws on many fragments from Assyrian, Babylonian, and Hittite tablets that have been found after the Standard Version was discovered.

Edited by Laura J. Getty, University of North Georgia

The Epic of Gilgamesh

R. Campbell Thompson and William Muse Arnold (Compiled by Laura Getty)

He who has discovered the heart of all matters, let him teach the nation; He who all knowledge possesses should teach all the people; He shall impart his wisdom, and so they shall share it together. Gilgamesh—he was the Master of wisdom, with knowledge of all things; He discovered concealed secrets, handed down a story of times before the flood, 5 Went on a journey far away, returned all weary and worn with his toiling, Engraved on a table of stone his story. He it was who built the ramparts of Uruk, the high-walled, And he it was who set the foundation,

Image 1.7: The Flood Tablet | An original stone tablet, Tablet 11, from the Epic of Gilgamesh.

Author: User “BabelStone” Source: Wikimedia Commons License: CC0 1.0

License: Open Access

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As solid as brass, of Eanna, the sacred temple of Anu and Ishtar, 10 Strengthened its base, its threshold…. Two-thirds of Gilgamesh are divine, and one-third of him human….

[The tablet then tells how Gilgamesh becomes king of Uruk. The death of the previous king creates panic in the city, described below.]

The she-asses have trampled down their foals; The cows in madness turn upon their calves. And as the cattle were frightened, so were the people. 15 Like the doves, the maidens sigh and mourn. The gods of Uruk, the strong-walled, Assume the shape of flies and buzz about the streets. The protecting deities of Uruk, the strong-walled, Take on the shape of mice and hurry into their holes. 20 Three years the enemy besieged the city of Uruk; The city’s gates were barred, the bolts were shot. And even Ishtar, the goddess, could not make headway against the enemy.

[Then Gilgamesh comes to the city as her savior, and later on appears as her king. He saves the city, but unfortunately his rule is tyrannical, and the people of Uruk complain to the gods.]

“You gods of heaven, and you, Anu, Who brought my son into existence, save us! 25 He [Gilgamesh] has not a rival in all the land; The shock of his weapons has no peer, And cowed are the heroes of Uruk. Your people now come to you for help. Gilgamesh arrogantly leaves no son to his father, 30 Yet he should be the shepherd of the city.” Day and night they poured out their complaint: “He is the ruler of Uruk the strong-walled. He is the ruler—strong, cunning—but Gilgamesh does not leave a daughter to her mother, 35 Nor the maiden to the warrior, nor the wife to her husband.”

The gods of heaven heard their cry. Anu gave ear, called the lady Aruru: “It was you, O Aruru, Who made the first of mankind: create now a rival to him, So that he can strive with him; 40 Let them fight together, and Uruk will be given relief.” Upon hearing this Aruru created in her heart a man after the likeness of Anu. Aruru washed her hands, took a bit of clay, and cast it on the ground. Thus she created Enkidu, the hero, as if he were born of Ninurta (god of war and hunting). His whole body was covered with hair; he had long hair on his head like a woman; 45 His flowing hair was luxuriant like that of the corn-god. He ate herbs with the gazelles. He quenched his thirst with the beasts. He sported about with the creatures of the water.

Then did a hunter, a trapper, come face to face with this fellow, 50 Came on him one, two, three days, at the place where the beasts drank water. But when he saw him the hunter’s face looked troubled As he beheld Enkidu, and he returned to his home with his cattle. He was sad, and moaned, and wailed; His heart grew heavy, his face became clouded, 55 And sadness entered his mind.

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The hunter opened his mouth and said, addressing his father: “Father, there is a great fellow come forth from out of the mountains, His strength is the greatest the length and breadth of the country, Like to a double of Anu’s own self, his strength is enormous, 60 Ever he ranges at large over the mountains, and ever with cattle Grazes on herbage and ever he sets his foot to the water, So that I fear to approach him. The pits which I myself hollowed With my own hands he has filled in again, and the traps that I set Are torn up, and out of my clutches he has helped all the cattle escape, 65 And the beasts of the desert: to work at my fieldcraft, or hunt, he will not allow me.”

His father opened his mouth and said, addressing the hunter: “Gilgamesh dwells in Uruk, my son, whom no one has vanquished, It is his strength that is the greatest the length and breadth of the country, Like to a double of Anu’s own self, his strength is enormous, 70 Go, set your face towards Uruk: and when he hears of a monster, He will say ‘Go, O hunter, and take with you a courtesan-girl, a hetaera (a sacred temple girl from Eanna, the temple of Ishtar).

When he gathers the cattle again in their drinking place, So shall she put off her mantle, the charm of her beauty revealing; 75 Then he shall see her, and in truth will embrace her, and thereafter his cattle, With which he was reared, with straightaway forsake him.’”

Image 1.8: Gilgamesh Statue | This statue of Gilgamesh depicts him in his warrior’s outfit, holding a lion cub under one arm.

Author: User “zayzayem” Source: Wikimedia Commons License: CC BY-SA 2.0

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The hunter listened to the advice of his father and straightaway He went to Gilgamesh, taking the road towards Uruk. To Gilgamesh he came, and addressed his speech to him, saying: 80 “There is a great fellow come forth from out of the mountains, His strength is the greatest the length and breadth of the country, Like to a double of Anu’s own self, his strength is enormous, Ever he ranges at large over the mountains, and ever with cattle Grazes on herbage and ever he sets his foot to the water, 85 So that I fear to approach him. The pits which I myself hollowed With mine own hands he has filled in again, and the traps that I set Are torn up, and out of my clutches he has helped all the cattle escape, And the beasts of the desert: to work at my fieldcraft, or hunt, he will not allow me.”

Gilgamesh made this answer to the hunter: 90

“Go, O hunter, and take with you a courtesan-girl, a hetaera from Ishtar’s temple.

When he gathers the cattle again in their drinking place, So shall she put off her mantle, the charm of her beauty revealing; Then he shall see her, and in truth will embrace her, and thereafter his cattle, With which he was reared, with straightaway forsake him.” 95

Forth went the hunter, took with him a courtesan-girl, a hetaera, the woman Shamhat; Together they proceeded straightway, and On the third day they reached the appointed field. There the hunter and the hetaera rested. One day, two days, they lurked at the entrance to the well, 100 Where the cattle were accustomed to slake their thirst, Where the creatures of the waters were sporting. Then came Enkidu, whose home was the mountains, Who with gazelles ate herbs, And with the cattle slaked his thirst, 105 And with the creatures of the waters rejoiced his heart. And Shamhat beheld him.

“Behold, there he is,” the hunter exclaimed; “now reveal your body, Uncover your nakedness, and let him enjoy your favors. Be not ashamed, but yield to his sensuous lust. 110 He shall see you and shall approach you; Remove your garment, and he shall lie in your arms; Satisfy his desire after the manner of women; Then his cattle, raised with him on the field, shall forsake him While he firmly presses his breast on yours.” 115 And Shamhat revealed her body, uncovered her nakedness, And let him enjoy her favors. She was not ashamed, but yielded to his sensuous lust. She removed her garment, he lay in her arms, And she satisfied his desire after the manner of women. 120 He pressed his breast firmly upon hers. For six days and seven nights Enkidu enjoyed the love of Shamhat. And when he had sated himself with her charms, He turned his face toward his cattle. The gazelles, resting, beheld Enkidu; they and 125 The cattle of the field turned away from him. This startled Enkidu and his body grew faint; His knees became stiff, as his cattle departed, And he became less agile than before.

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And as he realized what had happened, he came to a decision. 130 He turned again, in love enthralled, to the feet of the temple girl, And gazed up into the face of Shamhat. And while she spoke, his ears listened attentively; And Shmahat spoke to Enkidu and said: “You are magnificant, Enkidu, you shall be like a god; 135 Why, then, do you lie down with the beasts of the field? Come, I will take you to strong-walled Uruk; To the glorious house, the dwelling of Anu and Ishtar, The palace of Gilgamesh, the hero who is perfect in strength, Surpassing, like a mountain bull, men in power.” 140 While she spoke this way to him, he listened to her wise speech. And Enkidu spoke to her, the temple girl: “Come then, Shamhat, take me, and lead me To the glorious dwelling, the sacred seat of Anu and Ishtar, To the palace of Gilgamesh, the hero who is perfect in strength, 145 Surpassing, like as a mountain bull, men in power. I will challenge him.”

Shamhat warned Enkidu, saying: “You will see Gilgamesh. I have seen his face; it glows with heroic courage. Strength he possesses, magnificent is his whole body. 150 His power is stronger than yours. He rests not nor tires, neither by day nor by night. O Enkidu, change your intention. Shamash loves Gilgamesh; Anu and Ea are whispering wisdom into his ear. 155 Before you come down from the mountain Gilgamesh will have seen you in a dream in Uruk.”

[Gilgamesh had a dream and was troubled because he could not interpret it.] Gilgamesh came, to understand the dream, and said to his mother:

“My mother, I dreamed a dream in my nightly vision; The stars of heaven, like Anu’s host, fell upon me. 160 Although I wrestled him, he was too strong for me, and even though I loosed his hold on me, I was unable to shake him off of me: and now, all the meanwhile, People from Uruk were standing around him. My own companions were kissing his feet; and I to my breast like a woman did hold him, Then I presented him low at your feet, that as my own equal you might recognize him.” 165 She who knows all wisdom answered her son; “The stars of the heavens represent your comrades, That which was like unto Anu’s own self, which fell on your shoulders, Which you did wrestle, but he was too strong for you, even though you loosed his hold on you, But you were unable to shake him off of you, 170 So you presented him low at my feet, that as your own equal I might recognize him—and you to your breast like a woman did hold him:

This is a stout heart, a friend, one ready to stand by a comrade, One whose strength is the greatest, the length and breadth of the country, Like to a double of Anu’s own self, his strength is enormous. 175 Now, since you to your breast did hold him the way you would a woman, This is a sign that you are the one he will never abandon: This is the meaning of your dream.” Again he spoke to his mother, “Mother, a second dream did I see: Into Uruk, the high-walled, 180

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Hurtled an axe, and they gathered about it: People were standing about it, the people all thronging before it, Artisans pressing behind it, while I at your feet did present it, I held it to me like a woman, that you might recognize it as my own equal.” She the all-wise, who knows all wisdom, thus answered her offspring: 185 “That axe you saw is a man; like a woman did you hold him, Against your breast, that as your own equal I might recognize him; This is a stout heart, a friend, one ready to stand by a comrade; He will never abandon you.”

[Meanwhile, Shamhat helps Enkidu adjust to living among humans.]

Then Shamhat spoke to Enkidu: “As I view you, even like a god, O Enkidu, you are, 190 Why with the beasts of the field did you ever roam through the wilderness? I’ll lead you to Uruk broad-marketed, yes, to the Temple Sacred, the dwelling of Anu—O Enkidu, come, so that I may guide you, To Eanna, the dwelling of Anu, where Gilgamesh lives, He, the supreme of creation; and you will embrace him, 195 And even as yourself you shall love him. O, get up from the ground—which is a shepherd’s bed only.” He heard what she said, welcomed her advice: the advice of the woman struck home. She took off one length of cloth wherewith she might clothe him: the other she herself wore,

And so, holding his hand like a brother, she led him 200 To the huts of the shepherds, the place of the sheepfolds. The shepherds Gathered at the sight of him.

He in the past was accustomed to suck the milk of the wild things! Bread which she set before him he broke, but he gazed and he stared: Enkidu did not know how to eat bread, nor had he the knowledge to drink mead! 205 Then the woman made answer, to Enkidu speaking, “Enkidu, taste of the bread, for it is life; in truth, the essential of life; Drink also of the mead, which is the custom of the country.”

Enkidu ate the bread, ate until he was gorged, Drank of the mead seven cups; his spirits rose, and he was exultant, 210 Glad was his heart, and cheerful his face: He anointed himself with oil: and thus became human. He put on a garment to be like a man and taking his weapons, He hunted the lions, which harried the shepherds all the nights, and he caught the jackals. He, having mastered the lions, let the shepherds sleep soundly. 215 Enkidu—he was their guardian—became a man of full vigor.

Enkidu saw a man passing by, and when he observed the fellow, He said to the woman: “Shamhat, bring me this fellow, Where is he going? I would know his intention.” Shamhat called to the man to come to them, asking: “O, what are you seeking, Sir?” 220 The man spoke, addressing them:

“I am going, then, to heap up the offerings such as are due to the city of Uruk; Come with me, and on behalf of the common good bring in the food of the city. You will see Gilgamesh, king of broad-marketed Uruk; After the wedding, he sleeps first with the bride, his birthright, before the husband.” 225 So, at the words of the fellow, they went with him to Uruk.

Enkidu, going in front with the temple girl coming behind him, Entered broad-marketed Uruk; the populace gathered behind him,

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The Epic of Gilgamesh

Then, as he stopped in the street of broad-marketed Uruk, the people Thronging behind him exclaimed “Of a truth, like to Gilgamesh is he, 230 Shorter in stature, but his composition is stronger.”

Strewn is the couch for the love-rites, and Gilgamesh now in the night-time Comes to sleep, to delight in the woman, but Enkidu, standing There in the street, blocks the passage to Gilgamesh, threatening Gilgamesh with his strength. 235

Gilgamesh shows his rage, and he rushed to attack him: they met in the street. Enkidu barred up the door with his foot, and to Gilgamesh denied entry.

They grappled and snorted like bulls, and the threshold of the door Shattered: the very wall quivered as Gilgamesh with Enkidu grappled and wrestled.

Gilgamesh bent his leg to the ground [pinning Enkidu]: so his fury abated, 240 And his anger was quelled: Enkidu thus to Gilgamesh spoke:

“Of a truth, did your mother (Ninsun, the wild cow goddess) bear you, And only you: that choicest cow of the steer-folds, Ninsun exalted you above all heroes, and Enlil has given You the kingship over men.” 245

[The next part of the story is lost on a broken part of the tablet. When the story resumes, time has passed, and Gil- gamesh and Enkidu are now friends. Enkidu is grieving the loss of a woman: possibly Shamhat leaving him, possibly another woman who has died.]

Enkidu there as he stood listened to Gilgamesh’s words, grieving, Sitting in sorrow: his eyes filled with tears, and his arms lost their power, His body had lost its strength. Each clasped the hand of the other. Holding on to each other like brothers, and Enkidu answered Gilgamesh: “Friend, my darling has circled her arms around my neck to say goodbye, 250 Which is why my arms lose their power, my body has lost its strength.”

[Gilgamesh decides to distract his friend with a quest.]

Gilgamesh opened his mouth, and to Enkidu he spoke in this way: “I, my friend, am determined to go to the Forest of Cedars, Humbaba the Fierce lives there, I will overcome and destroy what is evil, Then will I cut down the Cedar trees.” 255 Enkidu opened his mouth, and to Gilgamesh he spoke in this way, “Know, then, my friend, that when I was roaming with the animals in the mountains I marched for a distance of two hours from the skirts of the Forest Into its depths. Humbaba—his roar was a whirlwind, Flame in his jaws, and his very breath Death! O, why have you desired 260 To accomplish this? To meet with Humbaba would be an unequal conflict.” Gilgamesh opened his mouth and to Enkidu he spoke in this way: “It is because I need the rich resources of its mountains that I go to the Forest.”

Enkidu opened his mouth and to Gilgamesh he spoke in this way: “But when we go to the Forest of Cedars, you will find that its guard is a fighter, 265 Strong, never sleeping. O Gilgamesh,

So that he can safeguard the Forest of Cedars, making it a terror to mortals, Enlil has appointed him—Humbaba, his roar is a whirlwind, Flame in his jaws, and his very breath Death! Yes, if he hears but a tread in the Forest, Hears but a tread on the road, he roars—‘Who is this come down to his Forest?’ 270

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And terrible consequences will seize him who comes down to his Forest.”

Gilgamesh opened his mouth and to Enkidu he spoke in this way: “Who, O my friend, is unconquered by death? A god, certainly, Lives forever in the daylight, but mortals—their days are all numbered, All that they do is but wind—But since you are now dreading death, 275 Offering nothing of your courage—I, I’ll be your protector, marching in front of you! Your own mouth shall tell others that you feared the onslaught of battle, Whereas I, if I should fall, will have established my name forever. It was Gilgamesh who fought with Humbaba, the Fierce! In the future, after my children are born to my house, and climb up into your lap, saying: 280 ‘Tell us all that you know,’ [what shall you say]?

When you talk this way, you make me long for the Cedars even more; I am determined to cut them down, so that I may gain fame everlasting.”

Gilgamesh spoke again to Enkidu, saying:

“Now, O my friend, I must give my orders to the craftsmen, 285 So that they cast in our presence our weapons.” They delivered the orders to the craftsmen: the mold did the workmen prepare, and the axes Monstrous they cast: yes, the axes did they cast, each weighing three talents; Glaives, too, monstrous they cast, with hilts each weighing two talents, Blades, thirty manas to each, corresponding to fit them: the inlay, 290 Gold thirty manas each sword: so were Gilgamesh and Enkidu laden Each with ten talents of weight.

And now in the Seven Bolt Portal of Uruk Hearing the noise did the artisans gather, assembled the people, There in the streets of broad-marketed Uruk, in Gilgamesh’s honor, 295 So did the Elders of Uruk the broad-marketed take seat before him. Gilgamesh spoke thus: “O Elders of Uruk the broad-marketed, hear me! I go against Humbaba, the Fierce, who shall say, when he hears that I am coming,

‘Ah, let me look on this Gilgamesh, he of whom people are speaking, He with whose fame the countries are filled’—’Then I will overwhelm him, 300 There in the Forest of Cedars—I’ll make the land hear it, How like a giant the hero of Uruk is—yes, for I am determined to cut down the Cedars So that I may gain fame everlasting.” To Gilgamesh the Elders of Uruk the broad-marketed gave this answer: “Gilgamesh, it is because you are young that your valor makes you too confident, 305 Nor do you know to the full what you seek to accomplish. News has come to our ears of Humbaba, who is twice the size of a man. Who of free will then would seek to oppose him or encounter his weapons? Who would march for two hours from the skirts of the Forest Into its depths? Humbaba, his roar is a whirlwind, 310 Flame is in his jaws, and his very breath is Death! O, why have you desired to accomplish this? To fight with Humbaba would be an unequal conflict.” Gilgamesh listened to the advice of his counselors and pondered, Then cried out to his friend: “Now, indeed, O my friend, will I voice my opinion. In truth, I dread him, and yet into the depths of the Forest I will go.” 315

And the Elders spoke:

“Gilgamesh, put not your faith in the strength of your own person solely, And do not trust your fighting skills too much. Truly, he who walks in front is able to safeguard a comrade,

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Your guide will guard you; so, let Enkidu walk in front of you, 320 For he knows the road to the Forest of Cedars; He lusts for battle, and threatens combat. Enkidu—he would watch over a friend, would safeguard a comrade, Yes, such a man would deliver his friend from out of the pitfalls. We, O King, in our conclave have paid close attention to your welfare; 325 You, O King, shall pay attention to us in return.” Gilgamesh opened his mouth and spoke to Enkidu, saying: “To the Palace of Splendor, O friend, come, let us go, To the presence of Ninsun, the glorious Queen, yes, to Ninsun, Wisest of all clever women, all-knowing; she will tell us how to proceed.” 330

They joined hands and went to the Palace of Splendor, Gilgamesh and Enkidu. To the glorious Queen, yes, to Ninsun Gilgamesh came, and he entered into her presence: “Ninsun, I want you to know that I am going on a long journey, To the home of Humbaba to encounter a threat that is unknown, 335 To follow a road which I know not, which will be new from the time of my starting, Until my return, until I arrive at the Forest of Cedars, Until I overthrow Humbaba, the Fierce, and destroy him. The Sun god abhors all evil things, Shamash hates evil; Ask him to help us.”

So Ninsun listened to her offspring, to Gilgamesh, 340

Entered her chamber and decked herself with the flowers of Tulal, Put the festival clothes on her body, Put on the festival adornments of her bosom, her head with a circlet crowned, Climbed the stairway, ascended to the roof, and the parapet mounted, Offered her incense to Shamash, her sacrifice offered to Shamash, 345 Then towards Shamash she lifted her hands in prayer, saying: “Why did you give this restlessness of spirit to Gilgamesh, my son? You gave him restlessness, and now he wants to go on a long journey To where Humbaba dwells, to encounter a threat that is unknown, To follow a road which he knows not, which will be new from the time of his starting, 350 Until his return, until he arrives at the Forest of Cedars, Until he overthrows Humbaba, the Fierce, and destroys him.

You abhor all evil things; you hate evil. Remember my son when that day comes, When he faces Humbaba. May Aya, your bride, remind you of my son.” Now Gilgamesh knelt before Shamash, to utter a prayer; tears streamed down his face: 355 “Here I present myself, Shamash, to lift up my hands in entreaty That my life may be spared; bring me again to the ramparts of Uruk: Give me your protection. I will give you homage.” And Shamash made answer, speaking through his oracle.

[Although the next lines are missing, Shamash evidently gives his permission, so Gilgamesh and Enkidu get ready for their journey.]

The artisans brought monstrous axes, they delivered the bow and the quiver 360 Into his hand; so, taking an ax, he slung on his quiver, He fastened his glaive to his baldrick. But before the two of them set forth on their journey, they offered Gifts to the Sun god, that he might bring them home to Uruk in safety.

Now the Elders give their blessings, to Gilgamesh giving 365 Counsel concerning the road: “O Gilgamesh, do not trust to your own power alone,

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Guard yourself; let Enkidu walk in front of you for protection. He is the one who discovered the way, the road he has traveled. Truly, all the paths of the Forest are under the watchful eye of Humbaba. May the Sun god grant you success to attain your ambition, 370 May he level the path that is blocked, cleave a road through the forest for you to walk. May the god Lugalbanda bring dreams to you, ones that shall make you glad, So that they help you achieve your purpose, for like a boy You have fixed your mind to the overthrow of Humbaba.

When you stop for the night, dig a well, so that the water in your skin-bottle 375 Will be pure, will be cool; Pour out an offering of water to the Sun god, and do not forget Lugalbanda.”

Gilgamesh drew his mantle around his shoulders, And they set forth together on the road to Humbaba. Every forty leagues they took a meal; 380 Every sixty leagues they took a rest. Gilgamesh walked to the summit and poured out his offering for the mountain: “Mountain, grant me a dream. . .” The mountain granted him a dream. . . Then a chill gust of wind made him sway like the corn of the mountains; 385 Straightaway, sleep that flows on man descended upon him: at midnight He suddenly ended his slumber and hurried to speak to his comrade: “Didn’t you call me, O friend? Why am I awakened from slumber? Didn’t you touch me—or has some spirit passed by me? Why do I tremble?” [Gilgamesh’s dream is terrifying, but Enkidu interprets it to mean that Shamash will help them defeat Humbaba. This process is repeated several times. Eventually, they arrive at the huge gate that guards the Cedar Forest.] Enkidu lifted his eyes and spoke to the Gate as if it were human: 390 “O Gate of the Forest, I for the last forty leagues have admired your wonderful timber, Your wood has no peer in other countries; Six gar your height, and two gar your breadth . . . O, if I had but known, O Gate, of your grandeur, Then I would lift an ax…[basically, I would have brought a bigger ax]. 395 [The heroes force the gate open.] They stood and stared at the Forest, they gazed at the height of the Cedars, Scanning the paths into the Forest: and where Humbaba walked Was a path: paths were laid out and well kept. They saw the cedar hill, the dwelling of gods, the sanctuary of Ishtar. In front of the hill a cedar stood of great splendor, 400 Fine and good was its shade, filling the heart with gladness. [From his words below, Humbaba must have taunted the heroes at this point, and Gilgamesh is preparing to attack Humbaba.] The Sung god saw Gilgamesh through the branches of the Cedar trees: Gilgamesh prayed to the Sun god for help. The Sun god heard the entreaty of Gilgamesh, And against Humbaba he raised mighty winds: yes, a great wind, 405 Wind from the North, a wind from the South, a tempest and storm wind, Chill wind, and whirlwind, a wind of all harm: eight winds he raised, Seizing Humbaba from the front and the back, so that he could not go forwards, Nor was he able to go back: and then Humbaba surrendered. Humbaba spoke to Gilgamesh this way: “O Gilgamesh, I pray you, 410 Stay now your hand: be now my master, and I’ll be your henchman: Disregard all the words which I spoke so boastfully against you.” Then Enkidu spoke to Gilgamesh: “Of the advice which Humbaba Gives to you—you cannot risk accepting it. Humbaba must not remain alive.” 420 [The section where they debate what to do is missing, but several versions have the end result.]

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They cut off the head of Humbaba and left the corpse to be devoured by vultures. [They return to Uruk after cutting down quite a few cedar trees.] Gilgamesh cleansed his weapons, he polished his arms. He took off the armor that was upon him. He put away His soiled garments and put on clean clothes; He covered himself with his ornaments, put on his baldrick. 425 Gilgamesh placed upon his head the crown. To win the favor and love of Gilgamesh, Ishtar, the lofty goddess, desired him and said: “Come, Gilgamesh, be my spouse, Give, O give to me your manly strength. Be my husband, let me be your wife, 430 And I will set you in a chariot embossed with precious stones and gold, With wheels made of gold, and shafts of sapphires. Large kudanu-lions you shall harness to it. Under sweet-smelling cedars you shall enter into our house. And when you enter into our house 435 You shall sit upon a lofty throne, and people shall kiss your feet; Kings and lords and rulers shall bow down before you. Whatever the mountain and the countryside produces, they shall bring to you as tribute. Your sheep shall bear twin-ewes. You shall sit upon a chariot that is splendid, 440 drawn by a team that has no equal.” Gilgamesh opened his mouth in reply, said to Lady Ishtar: “Yes, but what could I give you, if I should take you in marriage? I could provide you with oils for your body, and clothing: also, I could give you bread and other foods: there must be enough sustenance 445 Fit for divinity—I, too, must give you a drink fit for royalty. What, then, will be my advantage, supposing I take you in marriage? You are but a ruin that gives no shelter to man from the weather, You are but a back door that gives no resistance to blast or to windstorm, You are but a palace that collapses on the heroes within it, 450 You are but a pitfall with a covering that gives way treacherously, You are but pitch that defiles the man who carries it, You are but a bottle that leaks on him who carries it, You are but limestone that lets stone ramparts fall crumbling in ruin. You are but a sandal that causes its owner to trip. 455 Who was the husband you faithfully loved for all time? Who was your lord who gained the advantage over you? Come, and I will tell you the endless tale of your husbands.

Where is your husband Tammuz, who was to be forever? Well, I will tell you plainly the dire result of your behavior. 460 To Tammuz, the husband of your youth, You caused weeping and brought grief upon him every year.

[She sent Tammuz to the Underworld in her place, not telling him that he would only be able to return in the spring, like Persephone/Proserpina.]

The allallu-bird, so bright of colors, you loved; But its wing you broke and crushed, so that now it sits in the woods crying: ‘O my wing!’ 465 You also loved a lion, powerful in his strength; Seven and seven times did you dig a snaring pit for him. You also loved a horse, pre-eminent in battle, But with bridle, spur, and whip you forced it on, Forced it to run seven double-leagues at a stretch. 470 And when it was tired and wanted to drink, you still forced it on,

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Causing weeping and grief to its mother, Si-li-li. You also loved a shepherd of the flock Who continually poured out incense before you, And who, for your pleasure, slaughtered lambs day by day. 475 You smote him, and turned him into a tiger, So that his own sheep-boys drove him away, And his own dogs tore him to pieces. You also loved a gardener of your father, Who continually brought you delicacies, 480 And daily adorned your table for you. You cast your eye on him, saying:

‘O Ishullanu of mine, come, let me taste of your vigor, Let us enjoy your manhood.’

But he, Ishullanu, said to you ‘What are you asking of me? 485 I have only eaten what my mother has baked, [he is pure] And what you would give me would be bread of transgression, [she is not] Yes, and iniquity! Furthermore, when are thin reeds a cloak against winter?’ You heard his answer and smote him and make him a spider, Making him lodge midway up the wall of a dwelling—not to move upwards 490 In case there might be water draining from the roof; nor down, to avoid being crushed. So, too, would you love me and then treat me like them.”

When Ishtar heard such words, she became enraged, and went up into heaven, and came unto Anu [her father], and to Antum [her mother] she went, and spoke to them:

“My father, Gilgamesh has insulted me; 495 Gilgamesh has upbraided me with my evil deeds, My deeds of evil and of violence.” And Anu opened his mouth and spoke— Said unto her, the mighty goddess Ishtar: “You asked him to grant you the fruit of his body; 500 Therefore, he told you the tale of your deeds of evil and violence.”

Ishtar said to Anu, her father: “Father, O make me a Heavenly Bull, which shall defeat Gilgamesh, Fill its body with flame . . . . But if you will not make this Bull… 505 I will smite [the gates of the Underworld], break it down and release the ghosts,

Who shall then be more numerous than the living: More than the living will be the dead.”

Anu answered Ishtar, the Lady: “If I create the Heavenly Bull, for which you ask me, 510 Then seven years of famine will follow after his attack. Have you gathered corn enough, and enough fodder for the cattle?” Ishtar made answer, saying to Anu, her father: “Corn for mankind have I hoarded, have grown fodder for the cattle.”

[After this a hundred men attack the Bull, but with his fiery breath he annihilates them. Two hundred men then attack the Bull with the same result, and then three hundred more are overcome.]

Enkidu girded his middle; and straightway Enkidu, leaping, 515 Seized the Heavenly Bull by his horns, and headlong before him Cast down the Heavenly Bull his full length.

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[On an old Babylonian cylinder that depicts the fight, we see the Heavenly Bull standing on its hind feet, Enkidu holding the monster by its head and tail, while Gilgamesh plunges the dagger into its heart.]

Then Ishtar went up to the wall of Uruk, the strong-walled; She uttered a piercing cry and broke out into a curse, saying: “Woe to Gilgamesh, who thus has grieved me, and has killed the Heavenly Bull.” 520 But Enkidu, hearing these words of Ishtar, tore out the right side of the Heavenly Bull, And threw it into her face, saying: “I would do to you what I have done to him; Truly, I would hang the entrails on you like a girdle.” Then Ishtar gathered her followers, the temple girls, 525 The hierodules, and the sacred prostitutes. Over the right side of the Heavenly Bull she wept and lamented. But Gilgamesh assembled the people, and all his workmen. The workmen admired the size of its horns. Thirty minas of precious stones was their value; 530 Half of an inch in size was their thickness. Six measures of oil they both could hold. He dedicated it for the anointing of his god Lugalbanda. He brought the horns and hung them up in the shrine of his lordship. Then they washed their hands in the river Euphrates, 535 Took the road, and set out for the city, And rode through the streets of the city of Uruk. The people of Uruk assembled and looked with astonishment at the heroes. Gilgamesh then spoke to the servants of his palace And cried out to them, saying: “Who is the most glorious among the heroes? 540 Who shines among the men?” “Gilgamesh is the most glorious among the heroes, Gilgamesh shines among the men!” And Gilgamesh held a joyful feast in his palace. Then the heroes slept on their couches. And Enkidu slept, and saw a vision in his sleep. He arose and spoke to Gilgamesh in this way: “My friend, why have the great gods sat in counsel? 545 Gilgamesh, hear the dream which I saw in the night: said Enlil, Ea, and the Sun-god of heaven,

‘They have killed the Heavenly Bull and smote Humbaba, who guarded the cedars.’ Enlil said: ‘Enkidu shall die: but Gilgamesh shall not die. O Sun god, you helped them slay the Heavenly Bull and Humbaba. But now Enkidu shall die. Did you think it right to help them? You move among them like a mortal [although you are a god].’” 550

[The gods give Enkidu a fever. Enkidu curses the temple girl for bringing him to Uruk.]

“O hetaera, I will decree a terrible fate for you—your woes shall never end for all eternity. Come, I will curse thee with a bitter curse: may there never be satisfaction of your desires—and may disaster befall your house, may the gutters of the street be your dwelling, may the shade of the wall be your abode—may scorching heat and thirst destroy your strength.”

The Sun god heard him, and opened his mouth, and from out of the heavens 555 He called him: “O Enkidu, why do you curse the hetaera?

It was she who made you eat bread fit for the gods: yes, wine too, She made you drink, fit for royalty: a generous mantle She put on you, and she gave you Gilgamesh, a splendid comrade.

He will give you a magnificent funeral, 560 So that the gods of the Underworld will kiss your feet in their homage; He, too, will make all the people of Uruk lament in your honor, Making them mourn you, and damsels and heroes weep at your funeral,

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