The+Epic+of+Gilgamesh

** The Epic of Gilgamesh ** is an epic poem from Mesopotamia and is among the earliest known works of literary writing. Scholars believe that it originated as a series of Sumerian legends and poems about the mythological hero-king Gilgamesh, which were gathered into a longer Akkadian epic much later. The most complete version existing today is preserved on 12 clay tablets from the library collection of the 7th century BC Assyrian king Ashurbanipal. It was originally titled //**He who Saw the Deep**// (//Sha naqba īmuru//) or //**Surpassing All Other Kings**// (//Shūtur eli sharrī//). Gilgamesh was probably a real ruler in the late Early Dynastic II period (ca. 27th century BC).

The story revolves around a relationship between Gilgamesh, who has become distracted and disheartened by his rule, and his close companion, Enkidu. Enkidu is a wild man created by the gods as Gilgamesh's equal to distract him from oppressing of the citizens of Uruk. Together they undertake dangerous quests that incur the displeasure of the gods. Firstly, they journey to the Cedar Mountain to defeat Humbaba, its monsterous guardian. Later they kill the Bull of Heaven that the goddess Ishtar has sent to punish Gilgamesh for spurning her advances. The latter part of the epic focuses on Gilgamesh's distressed reaction to Enkidu's death, which takes the form of a quest for immortality. Gilgamesh attempts to learn the secret of eternal life by undertaking a long and perilous journey to meet the immortal flood hero, Utnapishti. Ultimately, however, the poignant words addressed to Gilgamesh in the midst of his quest foreshadow the end result: "Gilgamesh, what you seek you will never find. For when the Gods created Man they let death be his lot, eternal life they withheld". Gilgamesh, however, was widely celebrated by posterity for his building achievements, and for bringing back long lost cultic knowledge to Uruk as a result of his meeting with Uttnapishti. The story is widely read in translation, and the protagonist, Gilgamesh, has become an icon of popular culture.

//The Epic of Gilgamesh//: []