Epic of Gilgamesh: Tablet I — The Tyranny of Gilgamish and the Creation of Enkidu
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The work opens by praising Gilgamish, Master of wisdom and builder of Erech's ramparts, who is two-thirds divine; his tyranny prompts the gods to have Aruru create the beast-like Enkidu, whom a courtesan tames and draws to Erech, while Gilgamish dreams of a coming friend (Tablet I). Enkidu becomes human, enters Erech, and grapples with Gilgamish (Tablet II). The two clasp hands as brothers, and Gilgamish resolves to overcome Humbaba despite Enkidu's and the Elders' warnings, praying to Shamash and visiting Nin-sun (Tablet III). They journey to the Forest, Enkidu addressing its Gate and falling briefly sick (Tablet IV). Aided by Shamash's eight winds, they cut off Humbaba's head (Tablet V). Ishtar proposes marriage; Gilgamish refuses and recounts her former lovers, so she demands the Heavenly Bull from Anu, which the brothers kill (Tablet VI). Fever lays Enkidu low; he dreams of the Dwelling of Darkness (Tablet VII) and dies, mourned by Gilgamish before the Elders (Tablet VIII). Fearing death, Gilgamish ranges the desert, reaching the Mountains of Mashu and the Scorpion-men, seeking Uta-Napishtim (Tablet IX). He meets Siduri the wine-maker and Ur-Shanabi the boatman, crossing the Waters of Death (Tablet X). Uta-Napishtim recounts the deluge and his gift of divine life; Gilgamish fails a test of sleeplessness, obtains a life-giving plant, loses it to a serpent, and returns to Erech (Tablet XI). Finally, forbidden acts trap a descender in the Underworld; Ea has Nergal release Enkidu's spirit, who describes to Gilgamish the states of the dead (Tablet XII).
The tablet opens praising one who has proven all matters and possesses all knowledge, then names Gilgamish, Master of wisdom, who discovered a concealed secret, handed down prediluvian tradition, journeyed afar, and graved his travail on stone; he built the ramparts of Erech and the foundation of E-Anna. Gilgamish is two-thirds divine, one-third human. His tyranny is described: he towers like an aurochs, his weapons have no peer, and he leaves no son to his father, no maid to her mother, no spouse to a husband. The people wail; the gods address Anu, who calls Aruru to make a fellow for Gilgamish. Aruru molds clay on the desert and creates Enkidu, hairy and beast-like, who pastures with gazelles. A hunter meets Enkidu at the water, is terrified, and tells his father, who advises taking a courtesan to Erech. The hunter repeats the tale to Gilgamish, who gives the same counsel. The hunter and the hetaera travel to the watering place; the girl reveals her beauty, and Enkidu mates with her six days and seven nights. Afterward the beasts flee him; his strength fails but his wisdom broadens. The courtesan urges him to Erech, describing Gilgamish and the Temple of Anu and Ishtar; Enkidu agrees, vowing to challenge Gilgamish. She recounts Erech's revelry and Gilgamish's favor from Shamash, Anu, Enlil, and Ea. The text then relates Gilgamish's two dreams, told to his mother: a star-like object and an axe fall, which he embraces like a woman. His mother interprets each as a coming friend and comrade. Gilgamish speaks of gaining a friend.
Tablet I, Section 1aTablet I, Section 1bTablet I, Section 1cTablet I, Section 1dTablet I, Section 1eTablet I, Section 1f