Epic of Gilgamesh: Tablet XII — Gilgamish Enquires of the Dead
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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).
In fragmentary opening lines a seine passes through the Architect's dwelling and a net takes its toll; someone addresses a lord, and Gilgamish speaks. A speaker instructs one descending not to don clean raiment, not to anoint with oil, not to set bow to earth, carry a stick, wear a shoe, make an echo, nor kiss or chastise beloved or hated wife and child, and repeats a refrain concerning the Mother of Ninazu who lies dead. The descender then does each forbidden act; spirits gather. Gilgamish cries for Enkidu, saying only the earth seized him. The offspring of Nin-sun goes to Enlil at Ekur, then the Moon-god, praying to raise Enkidu; neither answers. Ea gives ear and bids Nergal open a hole; Nergal does, and Enkidu's spirit issues forth like wind. They embrace. Gilgamish asks what he saw of the Underworld's laws; Enkidu, reluctant, describes the states of various dead—the worm-eaten, one drinking limpid water, the slain hero mourned, the desert corpse, the untended ghost eating street refuse.
Tablet XII, Section 1aTablet XII, Section 1bTablet XII, Section 1c