Ancient Story Based on Oral Tradition Possibility of a Historical King Story Repeated Across Centuries and Cultures Cuneiform Stone Tablets Sumerian, Akkadian, Babylonian Rediscovered in the Nineteenth Century Story Pieced Together From Multiple Sources and Translated into English Some Missing Pieces Stone Tablets Incomplete Translation Uncertain

Uruk The Steppe Cedar Forest The Netherworld Places on the Journey Tunnel (guarded by two scorpion-men) Waters of Death Utanapishtim’s Island

Gilgamesh Enkidu Shamhat Humbaba Gods and goddesses Shamash Ninsun Aruru Ishtar Anu Enlil Siduri Urshanabi Ea Utanapishtim and his wife

King of Uruk, A Mighty City 2/3 Divine, 1/3 Human Mother is Ninsun (the Wild Cow) Arrogant and Abusive The People of Uruk complain about how he treats them The “birth goddess” Aruru Responds by Creating Enkidu “Equal” to Gilgamesh

Created from clay by Aruru Purpose is to “Contend” with Gilgamesh to Bring Peace to Uruk A Wild Man Covered in Hair Raised by Animals in the Wilderness with No Connection to Civilization Contact with Civilization Causes Him to Lose His Wildness Seduced by Shamhat, the Harlot Educated by Shepherds Fights Gilgamesh Become Friends

Friendship between Gilgamesh and Enkidu Civilization vs. Wilderness Adventures Battle with Humbaba Conflict with Ishtar Quest for Immortality Reality of Death The Flood Story

Civilization vs. Nature Immortality vs. Mortality Divinity vs. Humanity Friendship Fame Heroism