13 Demigods, mortal Heroes, and Monsters p2 (Sumerian Mythology)
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This article is from the Sumerian Mythology FAQ, by Christopher Siren cbsiren@cisunix.unh.edu with numerous contributions by others.
13 Demigods, mortal Heroes, and Monsters p2 (Sumerian Mythology)
Gilgamesh (demigod)
The son, either of a nomad or of the hero-king Lugalbanda and of the
goddess Ninsun, Gilgamesh, may have been a historical King of Erech,
during the time of the first Ur dynasty. His kingship is mentioned in
various places, including the Sumerian King list and he was also an
"en", a spiritual head of a temple. He was also the lord of Kulab and
by one account, the brother of Inanna. He was "the prince beloved of
An", (Kramer p. 260, 188) and "who performs heroic deeds for
Inanna" (Kramer 1963 p. 187)
"Gilgamesh and Agga" - (Pritchard pp.44-47; Kramer 1963 pp. 187-190)
King Agga of Kish sent an ultimatum to Erech. Gilgamesh tried to convince
the elders that Erech should sack Kish in response, but the elders wanted
to submit. He responded by taking the matter to the men of the city, who
agreed to take up arms. Agga laid seige to Erech and Gilgamesh resisted
with the help of his servant, Enkidu. He sent a soldier through the gate
to Agga. The soldier is captured and tortured with a brief respite while
another of Gilgamesh's soldiers climbs over the wall. Gilgamesh himself
then climbs the wall and Agga's forces are so taken aback by the sight of
them that Agga capitulates. Gilgamesh graciously accepts Agga's surrender,
prasing him for returning his city.
After this episode, he apparently took Nippur from the son of the founder
of the Ur I dynasty.
"Gilgamesh and the Land of the Living" (Pritchard pp. 47-50, Kramer
1963 pp. 190-197)
Gilgamesh, saddened by the dying he sees in his city, decides to go to the
"Land of the Living" says so to Enkidu. At Enkidu's urging, Gilgamesh makes
a sacrifice and first speaks to Utu, who is in charge of that
land. After he informs Utu of his motives, the god calls off his seven
guardian weather heroes. Gilgamesh recruits fifty single men to
accompany them and commissions swords and axes. They travel over seven
mountains, felling trees along the way eventually finding the "cedar of
his heart". After some broken text Gilgamesh is in a deep sleep,
presumably after an encounter with Huwawa. Enkidu or one of the others
wakes him. They come upon Huwawa and Gilgamesh distracts him with
flatery, then puts a nose ring on him and binds his arms. Huwawa
grovels to Gilgamesh and Enkidu and Gilgamesh almost releases
him. Enkidu argues against it and when Huwawa protests, he decapitates
Huwawa. Gilgamesh is angered by Enkidu's rash action.
"Gilgamesh, Enkidu and the Netherworld" (Kramer 1963 p.197-205)
Inanna appeals to Gilgamesh, here her brother, when her huluppu tree has
been occupied and he is receptive. He tears down the tree and makes it
into a throne and bed for her. In return for the favor, Inanna
manufactures a "pukku" and "mikku" for him.
He leaves them out, goes to sleep and can't find them where he left them
when he awakens. They had fallen into the underworld. Enkidu asks him
what is wrong and Gilgamesh asks him to retrieve them, giving him
instructions on how to behave in the underworld. Enkidu enters the
"Great Dwelling" through a gate, but he broke several of the underworld
taboos of which Gilgamesh warned, including the wearing of clean clothes
and sandals, 'good' oil, carrying a weapon or staff, making a noise, or
behaving normally towards ones family (Kramer 1963: pp. 132-133). For
these violations he was "held fast by 'the outcry of the nether world'".
Gilgamesh appeals to Enlil, who refuses to help.
Intervention by Enki, rescued the hero - or at least raised his shade
for Gilgamesh to speak with.
"Gilgamesh and the Bull of Heaven"
He rejects Inanna's advances, so she sends the "Bull of Heaven" to
ravage Erech in retribution. (Kramer 1963 p. 262)
"Death of Gilgamesh" (Pritchard pp. 50-52, Kramer 1963 pp. 130-131)
Gilgamesh is fated by Enlil to die but also to be unmatched as a
warrior. When he dies, his wife and household servants make offerings
(of themselves?) for Gilgamesh to the deities of the underworld.
He is given a palace in the nether world and venerated as lesser god
of the dead. It is respectful to pay him a visit upon arrival. If he
knew you in life or is of your kin he may explain the rules of Kur to
you - which he helps to regulate.
His son and successor was either Ur-lugal or Urnungal.
(see the Babylonian version of Gilgamesh in the Assyro-Babylonian
Mythology FAQ)
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