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GilgameshTheKingWhoRefusedtoDie
TheSumeriantaleofthefirstknownSearchforImmortalityconcernsaruleroflonglongago,whoaskedhis
divineGodfathertolethimenterthe"LandoftheLiving."Ofthisunusualruler,ancientscribeswrotedown
epictales.Theysaidofhimthat
Secretthingshehasseen
WhatishiddenfromMan,hefoundout.
Heevenbroughttidings
ofthetimebeforetheDeluge
Healsotookthedistantjourney,
wearisomeandunderdifficulties.
Hereturned,anduponastonecolumn
allhistoilheengraved.
OfthatoldenSumeriantale,lessthantwohundredlineshaveremained.Yetweknowitfromitstranslations
intothelanguagesofthepeopleswhofollowedtheSumeriansintheNearEastAssyrians,Babylonians,
Hittites,Hurrians.Theyalltoldandretoldthetaleandtheclaytabletsonwhichtheselaterversionswere
writtendownsomeintact,somedamaged,manyfragmentedbeyondlegibilityhaveenabledmanyscholars
overthebetterpartofacenturytopiecethetaletogether.
AtthecoreofourknowledgearetwelvetabletsintheAkkadianlanguagetheywerepartofthelibraryof
AshurbanipalinNineveh.TheywerefirstreportedbyGeorgeSmith,whosejobattheBritishMuseumin
Londonwastosortout,matchandcategorizethetensofthousandsoftabletsandtabletfragmentsthat
arrivedattheMuseumfromMesopotamia.Oneday,hiseyecaughtafragmentedtextwhichappearedto
relatethestoryoftheDeluge.Therewasnomistaking:thecuneiformtexts,fromAssyria,weretellingofa
kingwhosoughtouttheherooftheDeluge,andheardfromhimafirstpersonaccountoftheevent!
Withunderstandableexcitement,theMuseumdirectorssentGeorgeSmithtothearchaeologicalsiteto
searchformissingfragments.Withluck,hefoundenoughofthemtobeabletoreconstructthetextand
guessthesequenceofthetablets.In1876,heconclusivelyshowedthatthiswas,ashisworkwastitled.The
ChaldeanAccountoftheFlood.Fromthelanguageandstyleheconcludedthatit"wascomposedinBabylon
circa2000B.C."
GeorgeSmithatfirstreadthenameofthekingwhosearchedforNoahIzdubur,andsuggestedthathewas
noneotherthanthebiblicalherokingNimrod.Foratimescholarsbelievedthatthetaleindeedconcernedthe
veryfirstmightyking,andreferredtothetwelvetablettextasthe"NimrodEpos."Morefindsandmuch
furtherresearchestablishedtheSumerianoriginofthetale,andthetruereadingofthehero'sname:
GIL.GA.MESH.IthasbeenconfirmedfromotherhistoricaltextsincludingtheSumerianKingListsthathe
wasarulerofUruk,thebiblicalErech,circa2900B.C.TheEpicofGilgamesh,asthisancientliteraryworkis
nowcalled,thustakesusbacknearly5,000years.
OnemustunderstandthehistoryofUruktograsptheEpic'sdramaticscope.Affirmingthebiblical
statements,theSumerianhistoricalrecordsalsoreportedthatintheaftermathoftheDeluge,kingshiproyal
dynastiesindeedbeganatKishitthenwastransferredtoUrukasaresultoftheambitionsofIrnini/Ishtar,
whocherishednotatallherdomainfarawayfromSumer.
Uruk,initially,wasonlythelocationofasacredprecinct,whereanAbode(temple)forAn,the"Lordof
Heaven,"wasperchedatopavastzigguratnamedE.AN.NA("HouseofAn").OntherareoccasionofAn's
visitstoEarth,hetookalikingtoIrnini.HebestowedonherthetitleIN.AN.NA"BelovedofAn"(theancient
gossipsuggestedthatshewasbelovedinmorethanplatonicways),andinstalledherintheEanna,which
otherwisestoodunoccupied.
Butwhatgoodwasacitywithoutpeople,alordshipwithnoonetoruleover?Nottoofarawaytothesouth,
ontheshoresofthePersianGulf,EalivedinEriduinsemiisolation.Therehekepttrackofhumanaffairs,
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dispensingknowledgeandcivilizationtomankind.Enchantingandperfumed,InannapaidEa(agreatuncleof
hers)avisit.Enamoredanddrunk.Eagrantedherwish:tomakeUrukthenewcenterofSumerian
civilization,theseatofkingshipinlieuofKish.
Tocarryouthergrandioseplans,whoseultimategoalwastobreakintotheInnerCircleoftheTwelveGreat
Gods,InannaIshtarenlistedthesupportofherbrotherUtu/Shamash.WhereasinthedaysbeforetheDeluge
theintermarriagebetweentheNefilimandthedaughtersofManbroughtaboutthewrathoftheGods,the
practicewasnolongerfrowneduponintheaftermathoftheDeluge.

Andsoitwas,thatthehighpriestatthetempleofAnwasatthetimeasonofShamashbyahumanfemale.
IshtarandShamashanointedhimaskingofUruk,startingtheworld'sfirstdynastyofpriestlykings.
AccordingtotheSumerianKingLists,heruledfor324years.Hisson,"whobuiltUruk,"ruledfor420years.
WhenGilgamesh,thefifthrulerofthisdynasty,ascendedthethrone,UrukwasalreadyathrivingSumerian
center,lordingoveritsneighborsandtradingwithfarlands.(Fig.61).
AnoffspringofthegreatGodShamashonhisfather'sside,Gilgameshwasconsideredtobe"twothirdsGod,
onethirdhuman"bythefurtherfactthathismotherwastheGoddessNIN.SUN(Fig.62).Hewasthus
accordedtheprivilegeofhavinghisnamewrittenwiththeprefix"divine."

Fig.61

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Fig.62

Proudandselfassured,Gilgameshbeganasabenevolentandconscientiousking,engagedinthecustomary
tasksofraisingthecity'srampartsorembellishingthetempleprecinct.Butthemoreknowledgeheacquired
ofthehistoriesofGodsandmen,themorehebecamephilosophicalandrestless.Inthemidstofmerriment,
histhoughtsturnedtodeath.Wouldhe,byvirtueofhisdivinetwothirds,liveaslongashisdemiGod
forefathersorwouldhisonethirdprevail,anddetermineforhimthelifespanofamortalhuman?

Beforelong,heconfessedhisanxietytoShamash:
Inmycitymandiesoppressedismyheart.
Manperishesheavyismyheart...
Man,thetallest,cannotstretchtoheaven
Man,thewidest,cannotcovertheearth.
"WillItoo'peeroverthewall'?"heaskedShamash
"willItoobefatedthus?"
EvadingadirectanswerperhapsnotknowingithimselfShamashattemptedtohaveGilgameshaccepthis
fate,whateveritmightbe,andtoenjoylifewhilehecould:
WhentheGodscreatedMankind,
DeathforMankindtheyallotted
Lifetheyretainedintheirownkeeping.
Therefore,saidShamash,
Letfullbethybelly,Gilgamesh
Makethoumerrybydayandnight!
Ofeachday,makethouafeastofrejoicing
Dayandnight,dancethouandplay!
Letthygarmentsbesparklingfresh,
thyheadwashedbathethouinwater.
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Payheedtothelittleonethatholdsthyhand,
letthyspousedelightinthybosom
forthisisthefateofMankind.
ButGilgameshrefusedtoacceptthisfate.Washenottwothirdsdivine,andonlyonethirdhuman?Whythen
shouldthelessermortalpart,ratherthanhisgreaterGodlyelement,determinehisfate?Rovingbydaytime,
restlessatnight,Gilgameshsoughttostayyoungbyintrudingonnewlywedcouplesandinsistingonhaving
intercoursewiththebrideaheadofthebridegroom.Then,onenight,hesawavisionwhichhefeltwasan
omen.Herushedtohismothertotellherwhathesaw,sothatshemightinterprettheomenforhim:
Mymother,
Duringthenight,havingbecomelusty,
Iwanderedabout.
Inthemidst(ofnight)omensappeared.
Astargrewlargerandlargerinthesky.
ThehandiworkofAnudescendedtowardsme!
"ThehandiworkofAnu"thatdescendedfromtheskiesfelltoEarthnearhim,Gilgameshcontinuedtorelate:
Isoughttoliftit
itwastooheavyforme.
Isoughttoshakeit
Icouldneithermovenorraiseit.
Whilehewasattemptingtoshakeloosetheobject,whichmusthaveembeddeditselfdeepintotheground,
"thepopulacejostledtowardit,thenoblesthrongedaboutit."Theobject'sfalltoEarthwasapparentlyseen
bymany,for"thewholeofUruklandwasgatheredaroundit."The"heroes"thestrongmenthenlent
Gilgameshahandinhiseffortstodislodgetheobjectthatfellfromtheskies:
"Theheroesgrabbeditslowerpart,Ipulleditupbyitsforepart."
Whiletheobjectisnotfullydescribedinthetexts,itwascertainlynotashapelessmeteor,butacrafted
objectworthyofbeingcalledthehandiworkofthegreatAnuhimself.Theancientreader,apparently,required
noelaboration,havingbeenfamiliarwiththeterm("HandiworkofAnu")orwithitsdepiction,aspossiblythe
oneshownonanancientcylinderseal(Fig.63).

Fig.63

TheGilgameshtextdescribesthelowerpart,whichwasgrabbedbytheheroes,byatermthatmaybe
translated"legs."Ithad,however,otherpronouncedpartsandcouldevenbeentered,asbecomesclearfrom
thefurtherdescriptionbyGilgameshofthenight'sevents:
Ipressedstronglyitsupperpart
Icouldneitherremoveitscovering,
norraiseitsAscender...
Withadestroyingfireitstop1(then)brokeoff,
andmovedintoitsdepths.
ItsmovableThatWhichPullsForward
Ilifted,andbroughtittothee.
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GilgameshwascertainthattheappearanceoftheobjectwasanomenfromtheGodsconcerninghisfate.
Buthismother,theGoddessNinsun,hadtodisappointhim.ThatwhichdescendedlikeastarfromHeaven,
shesaid,foretellsthearrivalof,
"astoutcomradewhorescuesafriendiscometothee...heisthemightiestintheland...he
willneverforsakethee.Thisisthemeaningofthyvision."
SheknewwhatshewastalkingaboutforunbeknowntoGilgamesh,inresponsetopleasfromthepeopleof
UrukthatsomethingbedonetodiverttherestlessGilgamesh,theGodsarrangedforawildmantocometo
UrukandengageGilgameshinwrestlingmatches.

HewascalledENKI.DU"ACreatureofEnki"akindofStoneAgeManwhohadbeenlivinginthe
wildernessamongtheanimalsandasoneofthem:"Themilkofwildcreatureshewaswonttosuck."Hewas
depictednaked,bearded,withshaggyhairoftenshowninthecompanyofhisanimalfriends(Fig.64).

Fig.64

Totamehim,thenoblesofUrukassignedaharlot.Enkidu,untilthenknowingonlythecompanyofanimals,
regainedhishumanelementashemadelovetothewoman,overandoveragain.ThenshebroughtEnkiduto
acampoutsidetown,wherehewascoachedinthespeechandmannersofUrukandinthehabitsof
Gilgamesh."RestrainGilgamesh,beamatchforhim!"thenoblestoldEnkidu.
Thefirstencountertookplaceatnight,asGilgameshlefthispalaceandstartedtoroamthestreets,looking
forsexualadventures.Enkidumethiminthestreet,barringhisway."Theygrappledeachother,holdingfast
likebulls."Wallsshook,doorpostswereshatteredasthetwowrestled.Atlast,"Gilgameshbenttheknee"
thematchwasover:Helosttothestranger."Hisfuryabated,Gilgameshturnedaway."Justthen,Enkidu
addressedhim,andGilgameshrecalledhismother'swords.Herethenwashisnew"stoutfriend.""They
kissedeachother,andformedafriendship."
Asthetwobecameinseparablefriends,GilgameshbegantorevealtoEnkiduhisfearofamortal'sfate.On
hearingthis,"theeyesofEnkidufilledwithtears,illwashisheart,bitterlyhesighed."Thenhetold
Gilgamesh,thatthereisawaytooutsmarthisfate:toforcehiswayintothesecretAbodeoftheGods.
There,ifShamashandAdadwouldstandbyhim,theGodscouldaccordhimthedivinestatustowhichhe
wasentitled.
The"AbodeoftheGods,"Enkidurelated,wasin"thecedarmountain."Hehappenedtodiscoverit,hesaid,
ashewasroamingthelandswiththewildbeastsbutitwasguardedbyafearsomemonsternamedHuwawa:
Ifoundit,myfriend,inthemountains
asIwasroamingwiththewildbeasts.
Formanyleaguesextendstheforest:
Iwentdownintoitsmidst.
Huwawa(isthere)hisroarislikeaflood,
hismouthisfire,
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hisbreathisdeath...
TheCedarForest'swatcher,theFieryWarrior,ismighty,neverresting...TosafeguardtheCedarForest,asa
terrortomortalstheGodEnlilappointedhim.
TheveryfactthatHuwawa'smaindutywastopreventmortalsfromenteringtheCedarForestonlywhetted
thedeterminationofGilgameshtoreachtheplaceforsurely,itwastherethathecouldjointheGodsand
escapehismortal'sfate:
Who,myfriend,canscaleheaven?
OnlytheGods,
bygoingtotheundergroundplaceofShamash.
Mankind'sdaysarenumbered
whatevertheyachieveisbutthewind.
Eventhouartafraidofdeath,
inspiteofyourheroicmight.
Therefore,
Letmegoaheadofthee,
letthymouthcalltome:
"Advance,fearnot!"
This,then,wastheplan:bygoingto"theundergroundplaceofShamash"intheCedarMountain,tobe
enabledto"scaleheaven"astheGodsdo.Eventhetallestman,Gilgameshearlierpointedout,"cannot
stretchtoheaven."Nowheknewwheretheplacewas,fromwhichHeavencouldbescaled.

HefelltohiskneesandprayedtoShamash:
"Letmego,OShamash!Myhandsareraisedinprayer...totheLandingPlace,give
command...Establishovermethyprotection!"
Thetext'slinescontainingtheanswerofShamashare,unfortunately,brokenoffthetablet.Wedolearnthat
"whenGilgameshinspectedhisomen...tearsrandownhisface."Apparentlyhewaspermittedtogoahead
butathisownrisk.Nevertheless,Gilgameshdecidedtoproceed,andfightHuwawawithouttheGod'said.
"ShouldIfail,"hesaid,peoplewillrememberme:"Gilgamesh,theywillsay,againstfierce
Huwawahasfallen."
ButshouldIsucceed,hecontinuedIwillobtainaShemthevehicle"bywhichoneattainseternity."
AsGilgameshorderedspecialweaponswithwhichtofightHuwawa,theeldersofUruktriedtodissuadehim.
"Thouareyetyoung,Gilgamesh,"theypointedoutandwhyriskdeathwithsomanysureyearstolive
anyway,againstunknownoddsofsuccess:"Thatwhichthouwouldstachieve,thouknowestnot."Gathering
allavailableinformationabouttheCedarForestanditsguardian,theycautionedGilgamesh:
WehearthatHuwawaiswondrouslybuiltWhoistheretofacehisweapons?
UnequalstruggleitiswiththesiegeengineHuwawa.
ButGilgameshonly"lookedaround,smilingathisfriend."ThetalkofHuwawaasamechanicalmonster,a
"siegeengine"thatis"wondrouslybuilt,"onlyencouragedhimtobelievethatitwasindeedcontrollableby
commandsfromtheGodsShamashandAdad.Sincehehimselfdidnotsucceedinobtainingaclearcut
promiseofsupportfromShamash,Gilgameshdecidedtoenlisthismotherintheeffort.
"Graspingeachother,handinhand,GilgameshandEnkidutotheGreatPalacego,tothe
presenceofNinsun,theGreatQueen.Gilgameshcameforwardasheenteredthepalace:'O
Ninsun(hesaid)...afarjourneyIhaveboldlyundertaken,totheplaceofHuwawaanuncertain
battleIamabouttofaceunknownpathwaysIamabouttoride.Ohmymother,praythouto
Shamashonmybehalf!'"
Obliging,
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"Ninsunenteredherchamber,putonagarmentasbeseemsherbody,putonanornamentas
beseemsherbreast...donnedhertiara."
ThensheraisedherhandsinprayertoShamashputtingtheonusofthevoyageonhim
"Why,"sheaskedrhetorically,"havinggivenmeGilgameshforason,witharestlessheart
didstthouendowhim?Andnow,thoudidstaffecthimtogoonafarjourney,totheplaceof
Huwawa!"
ShecalleduponShamashtoprotectGilgamesh:
UntilhereachestheCedarForest,UntilhehasslainthefierceHuwawa,Untilthedaythathe
goesandreturns.
AsthepopulaceheardthatGilgameshwasgoingto"theLandingPlace"afterall,"theypressedcloserto
him"andwishedhimsuccess.Thecityeldersofferedmorepracticaladvice:
"LetEnkidugobeforethee:heknowstheway...intheforest,thepassesofHuwawalethim
penetrate...hewhogoesinfrontsavesthecompanion!"
TheytooinvokedtheblessingsofShamash:
"LetShamashgranttheethydesirewhatthymouthhathspoken,lethimshowthineeyesmay
heopenfortheethebarredpath,theroaduncloseforthytreading,themountainuncloseforthy
foot!"
Ninsunhadafewpartingwords.TurningtoEnkidu,sheaskedhimtoprotectGilgamesh"althoughnotofmy
womb'sissueartthou,Iherewithadoptthee(asason),"shetoldhimguardthekingasthybrother!Then
sheplacedheremblemaroundtheneckofEnkidu.
Andthetwowereoffontheirdangerousquest.
ThefourthtabletoftheEpicofGilgameshisdevotedtothecomrades'journeytotheCedarForest
unfortunately,thetabletissofragmentedthat,inspiteofthediscoveryofparallelfragmentsintheHittite
language,nocohesivetextcouldbeputtogether.
Itisevident,however,thattheytraveledagreatdistance,towardawesterndestination.Onandoff,Enkidu
triedtopersuadeGilgameshtocalloffthequest.Huwawa,hesaid,canhearacowmovingsixtyleagues
away.His"net"cangraspfromgreatdistanceshiscallreverberatesfromthe"PlaceWheretheRisingIs
Made"asfarbackastoNippur"weaknesslaysholdonhim"whoapproachestheforest'sgates.Letusturn
back,hepleaded.

Butproceedtheydid:
Atthegreenmountainthetwoarrived.
Theirwordsweresilenced
Theythemselvesstoodstill.
Theystoodstillandgazedattheforest
Theylookedattheheightofthecedars
Theylookedattheentrancetotheforest.
WhereHuwawawonttomovewasapath:
straightwerethetracks,afierychannel.
TheybeheldtheCedarMountain,
AbodeoftheGods,
theCrossroadsofIshtar.
Awestruckandtired,thetwolaydowntosleep.Inthemiddleofthenighttheywereawakened."Didstthou
arouseme?"GilgameshaskedEnkidu.No,saidEnkidu.NosoonerhadtheydozedoffthanGilgamesh
againawakenedEnkidu.Hehadwitnessedanawesomesight,hesaidunsurewhetherhewasawakeor
dreaming:
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Inmyvision,myfriend,
thehighgroundtoppled.
Itlaidmelow,trappedmyfeet...Theglarewasoverpowering!
Amanappeared
thefairestinthelandwashe...
Fromunderthetoppledgroundhepulledmeout.
Hegavemewatertodrinkmyheartquieted.
Onthegroundhesetmyfeet.
Whowasthis"man""thefairestintheland"whopulledGilgameshfromunderthetoppledground?What
wasthe"overpoweringglare"thataccompaniedthelandslide?Enkiduhadnoanswerstired,hewentbackto
sleep.Butthenight'stranquilitywasshatteredonceagain:
Inthemiddleofthewatch,
thesleepofGilgameshwasended.
Hestartedup,sayingtohisfriend:
"Myfriend,didstthoucallme?
WhyamIawake?
Didstthounottouchme?
WhyamIstartled?
DidnotsomeGodgoby?
Whyismyfleshnumb?"
DenyingthathehadawakenedGilgamesh,Enkidulefthiscomradewonderingwhetheritwas"someGodwho
wentby."Bewildered,thetwofellasleepagain,onlytobeawakenedoncemore.ThisishowGilgamesh
describedwhathesaw:
ThevisionthatIsawwaswhollyawesome!
Theheavensshrieked,theearthboomed.
Thoughdaylightwasdawning,darknesscame.
Lightningflashed,aflameshotup.
Thecloudsswelleditraineddeath!
Thentheglowvanishedthefirewentout.
Andallthathadfallenwasturnedtoashes.
Gilgameshmusthaverealizedthathehadwitnessedtheascentofa"SkyChamber":theshakinggroundas
theenginesignitedandroaredthecloudsofsmokeanddustthatenvelopedthesite,darkeningthedawn
skythebrillianceoftheengines'fire,seenthroughthethickcloudsandasthejetcraftwasaloftits
vanishingglow.A"whollyawesome"sightindeed!ButonewhichonlyencouragedGilgameshtoproceed,for
itconfirmedthatheinfacthadreachedthe"LandingPlace."
Inthemorningthecomradesattemptedtopenetratetheforest,carefultoavoid"weapontreesthatkill."
Enkidufoundthegate,ofwhichhehadspokentoGilgamesh.Butashetriedtoopenit,hewasthrownback
byanunseenforce.Fortwelvedayshelayparalyzed.
Whenhewasabletomoveandspeakagain,hepleadedwithGilgamesh:"Letusnotgodownintotheheart
oftheforest."ButGilgameshhadgoodnewsforhiscomrade:whilethelatterwasrecoveringfromtheshock,
heGilgameshhadfoundatunnel.Bythesoundsheardfromit,Gilgameshwassurethatitwas
connectedto"theenclosurefromwhichwordsofcommandareissued."Comeon,heurgedEnkidu"donot
standby,myfriendletusgodowntogether!"
Gilgameshmusthavebeenright,fortheSumeriantextstatesthat
Pressingonintotheforest,thesecretabodeoftheAnunnakiheopenedup.
Theentrancetothetunnelwasgrownoverwith(orhiddenby)treesandbushesandblockedbysoiland
rocks."WhileGilgameshcutdownthetrees,Enkidudugup"thesoilandrocks.Butjustastheymade
enoughofaclearance,terrorstruck:"Huwawaheardthenoise,andbecameangry."Nowheappearedonthe
scenelookingfortheintruders.Hisappearancewas"Mighty,histeethastheteethofadragonhisfacethe
faceofalionhiscomingliketheonrushingfloodwaters."Mostfearsomewashis"radiantbeam.''

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Emanatingfromhisforehead,"itdevouredtreesandbushes."Fromitskillingforce,"nonecouldescape."A
SumeriancylindersealdepictedaGod,GilgameshandEnkiduflankingamechanicalrobot,nodoubtthe
epic's"MonsterwiththeKillingBeams"(Fig.65).

Fig.65

ItappearsfromthefragmentedtextsthatHuwawacouldarmorhimselfwith"sevencloaks,"butwhenhe
arrivedonthescene"onlyonehehaddonned,sixarestilloff."Seeingthisastheiropportunity,thetwo
comradesattemptedtoambushHuwawa.Asthemonsterturnedtofacehisattackers,theKillingBeamfrom
hisforeheadtracedapathofdestruction.
Inthenickoftime,rescueappearedfromtheheavens.Seeingtheirpredicament,"downfromtheskiesspoke
tothemdivineShamash."Donottrytoescape,headvisedtheminstead,"drawnearHuwawa."Then
Shamashraisedahostofswirlingwinds,"whichbeatagainsttheeyesofHuwawa"andneutralizedhisbeam.
AsShamashhadintended,
"theradiantbeamsvanished,thebrilliancebecameclouded."
Soon,Huwawawasimmobilized:"heisunabletomoveforward,norisheabletomoveback."
ThetwothenattackedHuwawa:"Enkidustrucktheguardian,Huwawa,totheground.Fortwo
leaguesthecedarsresounded,"soimmensewasthemonster'sfall.
ThenEnkidu"Huwawaputtodeath."
Exhilaratedbytheirvictorybutexhaustedbythebattle,thetwostoppedtorestbyastream.Gilgamesh
undressedtowashhimself."Hecastoffhissoiledthings,putonhiscleanoneswrappedafringedcloak
abouthim,fastenedwithasash."Therewasnoneedtorush:thewaytothe"secretabodeoftheAnunnaki"
wasnolongerblocked.
Littledidheknowthatafemale'slustwouldsoonundohisvictory....
Theplace,asstatedearlierintheepic,wasthe"CrossroadsofIshtar."TheGoddessherselfwaswontto
comeandgofromthis"LandingPlace."Shetoo,likeShamash,musthavewatchedthebattleperhapsfrom
heraerial("winged")SkyChamber,asdepictedonaHittiteseal(Fig.66).Now,havingseenGilgamesh
undressandbathe,"gloriousIshtarraisedaneyeatthebeautyofGilgamesh."

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Fig.66

Approachingthehero,shemincednowordsaboutwhatwasonhermind:
Come,Gilgamesh,bethoumylover!
Grantmethefruitofthylove.
Youbemyman,
Ishallbeyourwoman!
Promisinghimgoldenchariots,amagnificentpalace,lordshipoverotherkingsandprinces,Ishtarwassure
shehadenticedGilgamesh.Butansweringher,hepointedoutthathehadnothinghecouldgiveher,a
Goddess,inreturn.Andastoher"love,"howlongwouldthatlast?Soonerorlater,hesaid,shewouldrid
herselfofhimasof"ashoewhichpinchesthefootofitsowner."Callingoffthenamesofothermenwith
whomshehadbeenpromiscuous,heturnedherdown.Enragedbythisinsultingrefusal,IshtaraskedAnuto
letthe"BullofHeaven"smiteGilgamesh.
AttackedbytheSkyMonster,GilgameshandEnkiduforgotallabouttheirmission,andranfortheirlives.
AidingtheirescapebacktoUruk,Shamashenabledthem"thedistanceofamonthandfifteendays,inthree
daystotraverse."ButontheoutskirstofUruk,ontheEuphratesRiver,theBullofHeavencaughtupwith
them.Gilgameshmanagedtoreachthecity,tosummonitswarriors.

Outsidethecitywalls,EnkidualoneremainedtoholdofftheSkyMonster.WhentheBullofHeaven
"snorted,"pitswereopenedintheearth,largeenoughtoholdtwohundredmeneach.AsEnkidufellintoone
ofthepits,theBullofHeaventurnedaround.QuicklyEnkiduclimbedout,andputthemonstertodeath.
WhatexactlytheBullofHeavenwas,isnotclear.TheSumeriantermGUD.AN.NAcouldalsomean
"Anu'sattacker,"his"cruisemissile."Ancientartists,fascinatedbytheepisode,frequentlydepicted
GilgameshorEnkidufightingwithanactualbull,withthenakedIshtar(andsometimesAdad)lookingon(Fig.
67a).

ButfromtheEpic'stextitisclearthatthisweaponofAnuwasamechanicalcontraptionmadeofmetaland
equippedwithtwopiercers(the"horns")whichwere"castfromthirtyminasoflapis,thecoatingoneach
beingtwofingersthick."Someancientdepictionsshowsuchamechanical"bull,"sweepingdownfromthe
skies(Fig.67b).

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Fig.67

AftertheBullofHeavenwasdefeated,Gilgamesh,

"calledouttothecraftsmen,thearmorers,allofthem"toviewthemechanicalmonsterand
takeitapart.Then,triumphant,heandEnkiduwenttopayhomagetoShamash.But"Ishtar,in
herabode,setupawail."
Inthepalace,GilgameshandEnkiduwererestingfromnightlongcelebrations.ButattheAbodeoftheGods,
thesupremeGodswereconsideringIshtar'scomplaint."AndAnusaidtoEnlil:'BecausetheBullofHeaven
theyhaveslain,andHuwawatheyhaveslain,thetwoofthemmustdie.'ButEnlilsaid:'Enkidushalldie,let
Gilgameshnotdie."ThenShamashinterceded:itwasdonewithhisconcurrencewhythenshould"innocent
Enkidudie?"
WhiletheGodsdeliberated,Enkiduwasafflictedwithacoma.Distraughtandworried,Gilgamesh"paced
backandforthbeforethecouch"onwhichEnkidulaymotionless.Bittertearsfloweddownhischeeks.As
sorryashewasforhiscomrade,histhoughtsturnedtohisownpermeatinganxiety:willhetoolieoneday
dyinglikeEnkidu?Willhe,afteralltheendeavors,endupdeadasamortal?
Intheirassembly,theGodsreachedacompromise.ThedeathsentenceofEnkiduwascommutedtohard
laborinthedepthsoftheminestheretospendtherestofhisdays.Tocarryoutthesentenceandtakehim
tohisnewhome,Enkiduwastold,twoemissaries"clothedlikebirds,withwingsforgarments"shallappear
untohim.Oneofthem,"ayoungmanwhosefaceisdark,wholikeaBirdManishisface,"shalltransport
himtotheLandoftheMines:
HewillbedressedlikeanEagle
Bythearmhewillleadthee.
"Followme,"(hewillsay)hewillleadyou
TotheHouseofDarkness,
theabodebelowtheground
Theabodewhichnoneleavewhohaveenteredintoit.
AroadfromwhichthereisnoreturnAHousewhosedwellersarebereftoflight,
wheredustisintheirmouths
andclayistheirfood.
Anancientdepictiononacylindersealillustratedthescene,showingaWingedEmissary("angel")leading
Enkidubythearm(Fig.68).

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Fig.68

Hearingthesentencepassedonhiscomrade,Gilgameshhadanidea.NotfarfromtheLandofMines,hehad
learned,wastheLandoftheLiving:theplacewheretotheGodshadtakenthosehumanswhoweregranted
eternalyouth!
Itwas"theabodeoftheforefatherswhobythegreatGodswiththePurifyingWaterswereanointed."There,
partakingofthefoodandbeverageoftheGods,havebeenresiding
Princesborntothecrown
whohadruledthelandindaysofyore
LikeAnuandEnlil,spicedmeatstheyareserved,
Fromwaterskins,coolwatertothemispoured.
WasitnottheplacewheretotheherooftheDeluge,Ziusudra/Utnapishtim,hadbeentakentheveryplace
fromwhichEtana"toheavenascended"?
Andsoitwas,that"thelordGilgamesh,towardtheLandoftheLivingsethismind."Announcingtothe
revivedEnkiduthathewouldaccompanyhimatleastonpartofhisjourney,Gilgameshexplained:
OEnkidu,
Eventhemightywither,meetthefatedend.
(Therefore)theLandIwouldenter,
IwouldsetupmyShem.
IntheplacewheretheShemshavebeenraisedup,
IaShemIwouldraiseup.
However,proceedingfromtheLandofMinestotheLandoftheLivingwasnotamatterforamortaltodecide.
Inthestrongestpossiblewords,GilgameshwasadvisedbytheeldersofUrukandhisGoddessmotherto
firstobtainthepermissionofUtu/Shamash:
IftheLandthouwishtoenter,
informUtu,informUtu,theheroUtu!
TheLand,itisinUtu'scharge
TheLandwhichwiththecedarsisaligned,
itistheheroUtu'scharge.
InformUtu!
Thusforewarnedandadvised,GilgameshofferedasacrificetoUtu,andappealedforhisconsentand
protection:
OUtu,
TheLandIwishtoenter
bethoumyally!
TheLandwhichwiththecoolcedarsisaligned
Iwishtoenterbethoumyally!
IntheplaceswheretheShemshavebeenraisedup,
LetmesetupmyShem!
Atfirst,Utu/ShamashdoubtedwhetherGilgameshcouldqualifytoentertheland.Then,yieldingtomore
pleadingandprayers,hewarnedhimthathisjourneywouldbethroughadesolateandaridarea:
"thedustofthecrossroadsshallbethydwellingplace,thedesertshallbethybed...thornand
brambleshallskinthyfeet...thirstshallsmitethycheeks."
UnabletodissuadeGilgamesh,hetoldhimthatthe"placewheretheShemshavebeenraised"issurrounded
bysevenmountains,andthepassesguardedbyfearsome"MightyOnes"whocanunleash"ascorchingfire"
or"alightningwhichcannotbeturnedback."Butintheend,Utugavein:
"thetearsofGilgameshheacceptedasanofferinglikeoneofmercy,heshowedhimmercy."
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But"thelordGilgameshactedfrivolously."Ratherthantaketheharshoverlandroad,heplannedtocover
mostoftheroutebyacomfortableseavoyageafterlandingatthedistantdestination,Enkiduwouldgoto
theLandofMines,andhe(Gilgamesh)wouldproceedtotheLandoftheLiving.Heselectedfiftyyoung,
unattachedmentoaccompanyhimandEnkidu,andberowersoftheboat.Theirfirsttaskwastocutand
haulbacktoUrukspecialwoods,fromwhichtheMA.GANboata"shipofEgypt"wasbuilt.Thesmithsof
Urukfashionedstrongweapons.Then,whenallwasready,theysailedaway.
Theysailed,byallaccounts,downthePersianGulf,planningnodoubttocircumnavigatetheArabian
peninsulaandthensailuptheRedSeatowardEgypt.ButthewrathofEnlilwasswifttocome.Hadnot
Enkidubeentoldthatayoung"angel"wouldtakehimbythearmandbringhimtotheLandofMines?How
come,then,hewassailingwiththejoyfulGilgamesh,withfiftyarmedmen,inaroyalship?
Atdusk,Utuwhomayhaveseenthemoffwithgreatmisgivings"withliftedheadwentaway."The
mountainsalongthedistantcoast"becamedark,shadowsspreadoverthem."Then,"standingalongsidethe
mountain,"therewassomeonewholikeHuwawacouldemitrays"fromwhichnonecanescape.""Likea
bullhestoodonthegreatEarthhouse"awatchtower,itseems.

Thefearsomewatchmanmusthavechallengedtheshipanditspassengers,forfearovercameEnkidu.Let
usturnbacktoUruk,hepleaded.ButGilgameshwouldnothearofit.Instead,hedirectedtheshiptowardthe
shore,determinedtofightthewatchman"that'man,'ifamanhebe,orifaGodhebe."
Itwasthenthatcalamitystruck.The"threeplycloth"thesailtoreapart.Asifbyanunseenhand,the
boatcapsizedandallinitsankdown.Somehow,GilgameshmanagedtoswimashoresodidEnkidu.Back
inthewaters,theysawthesunkenshipwithitscrewstillattheirposts,lookingamazinglyaliveintheir
deaths:
Afterithadsunk,intheseahadsunk,
OntheevewhentheMaganboathadsunk.
Aftertheboat,destinedtoMagan,
hadsunkInsideit,asthoughstilllivingcreatures,
wereseatedthosewhoofawombwereborn.
Theyspentthenightontheunknownshore,arguingwhichwaytogo.Gilgameshwasstilldeterminedto
reach"theland."Enkiduadvisedseekingawaybackto"thecity,"Uruk.Soon,however,weakness
overcameEnkidu.Withpassionatecomradeship,GilgameshexhortedEnkidutoholdontolife:"Mylittle
weakfriend,"hefondlycalledhim"tothelandIwillbringthee,"hepromisedhim.But"Death,whichknows
nodistinction,"couldnotbeheldoff.
ForsevendaysandsevennightsGilgameshmournedEnkidu,"untilawormfelloutofhisnose."Atfirsthe
wanderedaimlessly:
"Forhisfriend,Enkidu,Gilgameshweepsbitterlyasherangesoverthewilderness...withwoe
inhisbelly,fearingdeath,heroamedthewilderness."
Againhewaspreoccupiedwithhisownfate"fearingdeath"wondering:"WhenIdie,shallInotbelike
Enkidu?"
Thenhisdeterminationtowardoffhisfatetookholdofhimagain.
"MustIlaymyheadinsidetheearth,andsleepthroughalltheyears?"hedemandedtoknowof
Shamash."Letmineeyesbeholdthesun,letmehavemyfilloflight!"hebeggedoftheGod.
SettinghiscoursebytherisingandsettingSun,"TotheWildCow,toUtnapishtimthesonof
UbarTutu,hetooktheroad."
Hetrodunbeatenpaths,encounteringnoman,huntingforfood."Whatmountainshehadclimbed,what
streamshehadcrossednomancanknow,"theancientscribessadlynoted.
Atlonglast,asversionsfoundatNinevehandatHittitesitesrelate,henearedhabitations.Hewascomingto
aregiondedicatedtoSin,thefatherofShamash.
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"Whenhearrivedatnightatamountainpass,Gilgameshsawlionsandgrewafraid:
"HeliftedhisheadtoSinandprayed:"TotheplacewheretheGodsrejuvenate,mystepsare
directed...Preservethoume!"
"Asatnighthelay,heawokefromadream"whichheinterpretedasanomenfromSin,thathe
would"rejoiceinLife."Encouraged,Gilgamesh"likeanarrowdescendedamongthelions."
HisbattlewiththelionshasbeencommemoratedpictoriallynotonlyinMesopotamia,butthroughoutthe
ancientlands,eveninEgypt(Fig.69a,b,c).

Fig.69

Afterdaybreak,Gilgameshtraversedamountainpass.Inthedistancebelow,hesawabodyofwater,likea
vastlake,"drivenbylongwinds."Intheplainadjoiningtheinlandseahecouldseeacity"closedupabout"
acitysurroundedbyawall.There,"thetempletoSinwasdedicated."
Outsidethecity,"closebythelowlyingsea,"Gilgameshsawaninn.Asheapproached,hesawthe"Ale
woman,Siduri."Shewasholding"ajug(ofale),abowlofgoldenporridge."ButasshesawGilgamesh,she
wasfrightenedbyhisappearance:
"Heiscladinskins...hisbellyisshrunk...hisfaceislikeawayfarerfromafar."
Understandably,"asthealewomansawhim,shelockedthedoor,shebarredthegate."
Withgreateffort,Gilgameshconvincedherofhistrueidentityandgoodintentions,tellingherofhis
adventuresandquest.
AfterSidurilethimrest,eatanddrink,Gilgameshwaseagertocontinue.WhatisthebestwaytotheLandof
Living?heaskedSiduri.Musthecircletheseaandwindhiswaythroughthedesolatemountainsorcould
hetakeashortcutacrossthebodyofwater?
Nowalewoman,whichistheway...
Whatareitsmarkers?
Giveme,Ogivemeitsmarkers!
Suitably,bytheseaIwillgoacross
Otherwise,bythewildernessmycoursewillbe.
Thechoice,itturnedout,wasnotthatsimple
fortheseahesawwasthe"SeaofDeath":
Thealewomansaidtohim,toGilgamesh:
"Thesea,Gilgamesh,itisimpossibletocross
Fromdaysoflongago,
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noonearrivedfromacrossthesea.
ValiantShamashdidcrossthesea,
butotherthanShamash,whocancrossit?
Toilsomeisthecrossing,
desolateisitsway
BarrenaretheWatersofDeath
whichitencloses
Howthen,Gilgamesh,wouldstthoucrossthesea?
AsGilgameshremainedsilent,Sidurispokeupagain,revealingtohimthattheremightbe,afterall,awayto
crosstheSeaoftheWatersofDeath:
Gilgamesh,
ThereisUrshanabi,boatmanofUtnapishtim.
Withhimaretilingsthatfloat,
inthewoodshepicksthethingsthatbindtogether.
Go,lethethyfacebehold.
Ifitbesuitable,withtheeheshallcross
Ifitbenotsuitable,drawthouback.
Followingherdirections,GilgameshfoundUrshanabitheboatman.Aftermuchquestioningastowhohewas,
howhehadcomehither,andwherehewasgoing,hewasfoundworthyoftheboatman'sservices.Usinglong
poles,theymovedtheraftforward.Inthreedays,"arunofamonthandfifteendays"afortyfiveday
journeyoverland"theyleftbehind."HearrivedatTIL.MUN"TheLandoftheLiving."
Wheretoshallhegonow?Gilgameshwondered.Youhavetoreachamountain,Urshanabianswered"the
nameofthemountainisMashu."
TheinstructionsgivenbyUrshanabiareavailabletousfromtheHittiteversionoftheEpic,fragmentsof
whichwerefoundinBoghazkoyandotherHittitesites.Fromthosefragments(asputtogetherbyJohannes
Friedrich:DiehethitischenBruchstukesdesGilgameshEpos),welearnthatGilgameshwastoldtoreach
andfollow"aregularway"whichleadstoward"theGreatSea,whichisfaraway."Hewastolookfortwo
stonecolumnsor"markers"which,Urshanabivouched,"tothedestinationalwaysbringme."Therehehadto
turnandreachatownnamedItla,sacredtotheGodwhomtheHittitescalledUlluYah("HeofthePeaks"?).
HehadtoobtainthatGod'sblessingbeforehecouldgofarther.
Followingthedirections,GilgameshdidarriveatItla.Inthedistance,theGreatSeacouldapparentlybe
seen.There,Gilgameshateanddrank,washedandmadehimselfonceagainpresentableasbefitsaking.
There,Shamashonceagaincametohisaid,advisinghimtomakeofferingstoUlluyah.TakingGilgamesh
beforetheGreatGod(Fig.70),heurgedUlluyah:Accepthisofferings,"granthimlife."ButKumarbi,another
GodwellknownfromHittitetales,stronglyobjected:ImmortalitycannotbegrantedtoGilgamesh,hesaid.

Fig.70

Realizing,itappears,thathewouldnotbegrantedaShem,Gilgameshsettledforsecondbest:Couldhe,at
least,meethisforefatherUtnapishtim?AstheGodsdelayedtheirdecision,Gilgamesh(withtheconnivance
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ofShamash?)lefttownandstartedtoadvancetowardMountMashu,stoppingeachdaytooffersacrificesto
Ulluyah.

Aftersixdays,hecameuntotheMountitwasindeedthePlaceoftheShems:
ThenameoftheMountainisMashu.
AtthemountainofMashuhearrived
WheredailytheShemshewatched
Astheydepartandcomein.
TheMount'sfunctionsrequiredittobeconnectedbothtothedistantheavensandtothefarreachesofEarth:
Onhigh,totheCelestialBand
itisconnected
Below,
totheLowerWorlditisbound.
TherewasawaytogoinsidetheMountbuttheentrance,the"gate,"wascloselyguarded:
Rocketmenguarditsgate.
Theirterrorisawesome,theirglanceisdeath.
Theirdreadedspotlightsweepsthemountains.
TheywatchoverShamashasheascendsanddescends.
(Depictionshavebeenfoundshowingwingedbeingsordivinebullmenoperatingacircularbeamingdevice
mountedonaposttheycouldwellbeancientillustrationsofthe"dreadedspotlightthatsweepsthe
mountains"Fig.71a,b,c.)

Fig.71

"WhenGilgameshbeheldtheterribleglowing,hisfaceheshieldedregaininghiscomposure,he
approachedthem."
WhentheRocketmansawthatthedreadedrayaffectedGilgameshonlymomentarily,heshoutedtohis
partner:
"Hewhocomes,ofthefleshoftheGodsishisbody!"
Therays,itappears,couldstunorkillhumansbutwereharmlesstotheGods.
Allowedtoapproach,Gilgameshwasaskedtoidentifyhimselfandaccountforhispresenceintherestricted
area.Describinghispartlydivineorigins,heexplainedthathehadcome"insearchofLife."Hewished,he
said,tomeethisforefatherUtnapishtim:
OnaccountofUtnapishtim,myforefather,
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haveIcome
HewhothecongregationoftheGodshadjoined.
AboutDeathandLifeIwishtoaskhim.
"Neverwasthisachievedbyamortal,"thetwoguardssaid.Undaunted,GilgameshinvokedShamashand
explainedthathewastwothirdsGod.Whathappenednextisunknown,duetobreaksinthetabletbutatlast
theRocketmeninformedGilgameshthatpermissionwasgranted:
"ThegateoftheMountisopentothee!"
(The"GatewaytoHeaven"wasafrequentmotifonNearEasterncylinderseals,depictingitasawinged,
ladderlikegatewayleadingtotheTreeofLife.ItwassometimesguardedbySerpentsFig.72).

Fig.72

Gilgameshwentin,followingthe"pathtakenbyShamash."Hisjourneylastedtwelveberu(doublehours)
throughmostofit"hecouldseenothingaheadorbehind"perhapshewasblindfolded,forthetextstresses
that"forhim,lighttherewasnone."Intheeighthdoublehour,hescreamedwithfearintheninth,"hefelta
northwindfanninghisface.""Whenelevenberuheattained,dawnwasbreaking."Finally,attheendofthe
twelfthdoublehour,"inbrightnessheresided."
Hecouldseeagain,andwhathesawwasastounding.Hesaw"anenclosureasoftheGods,"whereinthere
"grew"agardenmadeupentirelyofpreciousstones!Themagnificenceoftheplacecomesthroughthe
mutilatedancientlines:
Asitsfruititcarriescarnelians,
itsvinestoobeautifultobehold.
Thefoliageisoflapislazuli
Andgrapes,toolushtolookat,
of...stonesaremade...
Its...ofwhitestones...
Initswaters,purereeds...ofsasustones
LikeaTreeofLifeandaTreeof...
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thatofAnGugstonesaremade...
Onandonthedescriptionwent.Thrilledandamazed,Gilgameshwalkedaboutthegarden.Hewasclearlyin
asimulated"GardenofEden!"
Whathappenednextisstillunknown,foranentirecolumnoftheninthtabletistoomutilatedtobelegible.
Eitherintheartificialgarden,orsomewhereelse,GilgameshfinallyencounteredUtnapishtim.Hisfirst
reactiononseeingamanfrom"daysofyore"wastoobservehowmuchtheylookedalike:
Gilgameshsaidtohim,
toUtnapishtim"TheFaraway":
"AsIlookuponthee,Utnapishtim,
Thouarenotdifferentatall
evenasIartthou..."
ThenGilgameshcamestraighttothepoint:
Tellme,
HowjoinestthouthecongregationoftheGodsinthyquestforLife?
Inanswertothisquestion,UtnapishtimsaidtoGilgamesh:
"Iwillrevealtothee,Gilgamesh,ahiddenmatterasecretoftheGodsIwilltellthee."
ThesecretwastheTaleoftheDeluge:Howwhenhe,Utnapishtim,wastherulerofShuruppakandtheGods
resolvedtolettheDelugeannihilateMankind,Enkisecretlyinstructedhimtobuildaspecialsubmersible
vessel,andtakeaboardhisfamily"andtheseedofalllivingthings."

AnavigatorprovidedbyEnkidirectedthevesseltoMountArarat.Asthewatersbegantosubside,heleftthe
vesseltooffersacrifices.TheGodsandGoddesseswhocircledEarthintheirspacecraftwhileitwas
inundatedalsolandedonMountArarat,savoringtheroastingmeat.Finally,Enliltoolanded,andbrokeinto
aragewhenherealizedthatinspiteoftheoathtakenbyalltheGods,EnkienabledMankindtosurvive.
Butwhenhisangersubsided,Enlilsawthemeritofsuchsurvivalitwasthen,Utnapishtimcontinuedto
recount,thatEnlilgrantedhimeverlastinglife:
Thereupon,Enlilwentaboardtheship.
Holdingmebythehand,hetookmeaboard.
Hetookmywifeaboard,
andmadeherkneelbymyside.
Standingbetweenus,
hetouchedourforeheadstoblessus:
"Hitherto,Utnapishtimhasbeenhuman
Henceforth,Utnapishtimandhiswife
likeGodsshallbeuntous.
FarawayshallthemanUtnapishtimreside,
atthemouthofthewaterstreams."
Andsoitcametopass,Utnapishtimconcluded,thathewastakentotheFarawayAbode,toliveamongthe
Gods.ButhowcouldthisbeachievedforGilgamesh?
"Butnow,whowillforthysakecalltheGodstoAssembly,thattheLifewhichthouseekest
thoumayestfind?"
Onhearingthetale,andrealizingthatitisonlytheGods,inassembly,whocandecreeeternallifeandthat
he,onhisown,couldnotattainitGilgameshfainted.Forsixdaysandsevennightshewastotallyknocked
out.Sarcastically,Utnapishtimsaidtohiswife:"BeholdthisherowhoseeksLifefrommeresleepasmisthe
dissolves!"Throughouthissleep,theyattendedtoGilgamesh,tokeephimalive,
"thathemayreturnsafeonthewaybywhichhecame,thatthroughthegatebywhichhe
enteredhemayreturntohisland."
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UrshanabitheboatmanwascalledtotakeGilgameshback.Butatthelastmoment,whenGilgameshwas
readytoleave,UtnapishtimdisclosedtoGilgameshyetanothersecret.Thoughhecouldnotavoiddeath,he
toldhim,therewasawaytopostponeit.HecoulddothisbyobtainingthesecretplantwhichtheGods
themselveseat,tokeepForeverYoung!
Utnapishtimsaidtohim,toGilgamesh:
"Thouhastcomehither,toilingandstraining.WhatshallIgivethee,
thatthoumayestreturntothyland?Iwilldisclose,OGilgamesh,ahiddenthing
AsecretoftheGodsIwilltellthee:Aplantthereis,
likeapricklyberrybushisitsroot.Itsthornsarelikeabriervine's,
thinehandstheywillprick.Ifthinehandsobtaintheplant,NewLifethouwiltfind."
Theplant,welearnfromwhatfollowed,grewunderwater:
NosoonerhadGilgameshheardthis,thanheopenedthewaterpipe.Hetiedheavystonesto
hisfeetTheypulledhimdownintothedeepHesawthentheplant.Hetooktheplant,thoughit
prickedhishands.HecuttheheavystonesfromhisfeetThesecondcasthimbackwherehe
camefrom.
GoingbackwithUrshanabi,Gilgameshtriumphantlysaidtohim:
Urshanabi,
Thisplantisofallplantsunique:
Byitamancanregainhisfullvigor!I
willtakeittorampartedUruk,
theretheplanttocutandeat.
Letitsnamebecalled
"ManBecomesYounginOldAge!"
OfthisplantIshalleat,
andtomyyouthfulstateshallIreturn.
ASumeriancylinderseal,fromcirca1700B.C.,whichillustratedscenesfromtheepictale,shows(atleft)a
halfnakedandunkemptGilgameshbattlingthetwolionsontheright,GilgameshholdsuptoUrshanabithe
plantofeverlastingyouth.AGod,inthecenter,holdsanunusualspiraltoolorweapon(Fig.73).

Fig.73

ButFate,aswithallthosewhointhemillenniaandcenturiesthatfollowedwentinthesearchofthePlantof
Youth,intervened.
AsGilgameshandUrshanabi"preparedforthenight,Gilgameshsawawellwhosewaterwascool.Hewent
downtoittobatheinthewater."

Thencalamitystruck:
"Asnakesniffedthefragranceoftheplant.Itcameandcarriedofftheplant...."
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ThereuponGilgameshsitsdownandweeps,histearsrunningdownhisface.
HetookthehandofUrshanabi,theboatman.
"Forwhom,"(heasked)"havemyhandstoiled?
Forwhomisspentthebloodofmyheart?
Formyself,Ihavenotobtainedtheboon
foraserpentaboonIaffected...."
YetanotherSumeriansealillustratestheepic'stragicend:thewingedgatewayinthebackground,theboat
navigatedbyUrshanabi,andGilgameshstrugglingwiththeserpent.NothavingfoundImmortality,heisnow
pursuedbytheAngelofDeath(Fig.74).

Fig.74

Andsoitwas,thatforgenerationsthereafter,scribescopiedandtranslated,poetsrecited,andstorytellers
related,thetaleofthefirstfutileSearchforImmortality,theepictaleofGilgamesh.Thisishowitbegan:
Letmemakeknowntothecountry
HimwhotheTunnelhasseen
Ofhimwhoknowstheseas,
letmethefullstorytell.
Hehasvisitedthe...(?)aswell,
Thehiddenfromwisdom,allthings...
Secretthingshehasseen,
whatishiddenfrommanhefoundout.
Heevenbroughttidings
ofthetimebeforetheDeluge.
Healsotookthedistantjourney,
wearisomeandunderdifficulties.
Hereturned,anduponastonecolumn
allhistoilheengraved.
Andthis,accordingtotheSumerianKingLists,ishowitallended:
ThedivineGilgamesh,whosefatherwasahuman,ahighpriestofthetempleprecinct,ruled
126years.Urlugal,sonofGilgamesh,ruledafterhim.
BacktoStairwaytoHeavenorBacktoTheEpicofGilgamesh

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