Epic of Gilgamesh: Tablet X — How Gilgamish Reached Uta-Napishtim
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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).
Siduri, the maker of wine, dwells veiled, her trade being wine. Gilgamish wanders toward her wearing pelts, flesh of the gods in his body but woe in his belly, his face like one who journeyed far. The wine-maker, musing that he is one who would ravish a woman, bars her doors. Gilgamish, hearing this, demands why she barred them and threatens to smash the portal. The wine-maker asks why his vigour is wasted and countenance sunken. Gilgamish denies this, then tells of Enkidu, his comrade who chased the wild ass, captured the Heavenly Bull, overthrew Humbaba, and slew lions; Enkidu's fate overtook him. He mourned six days and a se'nnight, dreads death, and laments Enkidu became dust. He repeats his grief, saying he now looks on her visage. The wine-maker answers that the life he seeks he cannot find, for the gods allotted death to man; she bids him fill his belly, be merry, wear fresh raiment, bathe, cherish his child, and delight his spouse. Gilgamish asks the way to Uta-Napishtim. She replies none but Shamash crosses the Ocean, and names Ur-Shanabi the boatman. Gilgamish takes his axe; Ur-Shanabi asks his name and he answers. Ur-Shanabi says Gilgamish's own hand hindered the crossing and directs him to cut poles. Gilgamish fashions them; they launch and reach the Waters of Death. Ur-Shanabi bids him use twelve poles. Uta-Napishtim, seeing them, muses no mortal comes. Gilgamish recounts his hardships. A speech follows on death, the Anunnaki, and Mammetum determining destiny.
Tablet X, Section 1aTablet X, Section 1bTablet X, Section 1cTablet X, Section 1d