Epic of Gilgamesh: Tablet III — The Expedition against Humbaba
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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 in fragments: a figure lifts his foot to the door, others rage furiously, and Enkidu is described as without equal, unkempt-haired, born in the desert. Enkidu stands grieving, his eyes filling with tears and his arms losing power. The two clasp hands like brothers, and Enkidu tells Gilgamish his darling circled her arms round his neck to farewell him. Gilgamish declares he will go to the Forest of Cedars and overcome Humbaba. Enkidu warns of Humbaba, whose roar is a whirlwind, flame in his jaws, breath Death, appointed by Enlil to guard the forest. Gilgamish answers that mortals' days are numbered and he will be Enkidu's vaward, seeking fame. He orders craftsmen to cast weapons—axes, celts, glaives, blades with gold—and he and Enkidu are laden. At the Portal of Erech the Elders assemble; Gilgamish announces his campaign, and the Elders caution him for his youth, repeating Humbaba's terrors. Gilgamish tells his friend he dreads Humbaba yet will go. He kneels before Shamash, praying to be spared and brought back to Erech; Shamash answers. Weeping, Gilgamish speaks of an untraveled road. The Elders farewell him, counseling him to let Enkidu go before as vaward and to honor Shamash and Lugal-banda. Enkidu urges Gilgamish not to fear. A man directs them on the way. Gilgamish proposes going to Nin-sun, the glorious Queen; they go to her, and Gilgamish tells her of his journey. Nin-sun decks herself, ascends the roof, offers incense to Shamash, and prays about the restlessness given her son, invoking Aa. The tablet ends fragmentarily, with Enkidu addressing Gilgamish.
Tablet III, Section 1aTablet III, Section 1bTablet III, Section 1cTablet III, Section 1dTablet III, Section 1e