The Epic of Gilgamesh is one of the oldest and most fascinating pieces of literature in the world, with origins dating back to ancient Mesopotamia in the third millennium BCE. The epic is a composite of various stories and legends from Sumerian and Akkadian cultures, woven together to create a complex and layered narrative that has captivated readers for thousands of years.
The opening lines of the epic set the tone for the grandeur and scope of the story:
"Sha nagba imuru
Surru ussar-ra parsa,
Ussun gal-e ma-ma-ru."
("He who has seen everything, I will make known to the lands.
I have dug up the hidden treasures of the land.
I have known the secrets of the gods.")
At its core, the Epic of Gilgamesh is a story of friendship, loss, and the search for meaning in a world that can often feel chaotic and unpredictable. The titular character, Gilgamesh, is a powerful and arrogant king who rules over the city of Uruk with an iron fist. However, after a series of losses and setbacks, he begins to question his place in the world and the nature of his existence. Gilgamesh grapples with the human condition, asking profound questions about the meaning of life and the inevitability of death.
The Epic of Gilgamesh is a story told revolving around the relationship between Gilgamesh and his companion, Enkidu. Enkidu is a wild man who is created by the gods specifically to challenge Gilgamesh and teach him humility. The two become fast friends and embark on a series of adventures together, but their friendship is ultimately cut short by Enkidu's untimely death.
One of the most famous passages in the epic comes when Gilgamesh laments the death of his friend Enkidu:
"Ha-ub-ba! Gah! Ha-ub-ba!
My friend, Enkidu, whom I loved, has turned to clay.
Shall I not like him, lay me down,
And never rise again!"
The death of Enkidu is a turning point in the epic, as it leads Gilgamesh to question the nature of life and death and to embark on a quest for immortality. This quest takes him on a journey across the ancient Near East, where he encounters various supernatural beings and learns valuable lessons about the nature of existence.
One of the most famous quotations from the Epic of Gilgamesh comes from the character Utnapishtim, who is granted immortality by the gods after surviving a great flood. When Gilgamesh asks him how he achieved this feat, Utnapishtim responds:
"Only the gods themselves can live forever, human beings can only hope to leave a legacy that will endure."
This quote encapsulates the central theme of the epic, which is the tension between human mortality and the desire for immortality. It is a theme that has resonated with readers for thousands of years and continues to inspire writers and artists to this day.
Another interesting fact about the Epic of Gilgamesh is its influence on later works of literature. The story of Gilgamesh has been compared to various mythological and literary traditions from around the world, including the story of Noah's ark in the Bible and the legend of Hercules in Greek mythology.
The Epic of Gilgamesh is a testament to the power of storytelling and the enduring appeal of epic poetry. Its themes of mortality, friendship, and the search for meaning resonate just as strongly today as they did thousands of years ago. As the great scholar Samuel Noah Kramer once wrote, "Gilgamesh is truly timeless, and will continue to speak to us as long as human beings seek solace in poetry and literature."
"A-ba-an-dug4-ga
Zi-ig-ga-ga
Ku6-ra-ga
Kur-gal-ga
Gal-zu
Zu-bu-dim-gi
Sukkalmah-gar-gar
An-na-gar-gar
Ur-gar-gar."
("The story of him whose name is revered is supreme.
In Uruk he built walls, a rampart, and a temple for holy Anu.
Look at it still today: the outer wall where the cornice runs, it shines with the brilliance of copper;
and the inner wall, it has no equal.
Touch the threshold: it is ancient.
Approach the Eanna Temple, the residence of Ishtar:
such a one as no later king or man ever equaled!")