http://www.unf.edu/classes/freshmancore/halsall/gilgamesh-kovacs.htm

The Epic of Gilgamesh

-Part I-

Translated by Maureen Gallery Kovacs

Edited by Carl Lenze (Jan. 2004)

The Epic of Gilgamesh is, perhaps, the oldest written story on Earth. It comes to us from Ancient Sumeria, and was originally written on 12 clay tablets in cuneiform script. It is about the adventures of the historical King of Uruk (who lived somewhere between 2750 and 2500 BC).

The translator chose to eliminate Tablet XII for personal reasons, with support from many literary, archaeological, and linguistic experts because it appears to be more of a sequel to the first 11 tablets.

This translation is based on the "standard" Akkadian "edition", but is filled in with excerpts from the Old Babylonian where necessary.

The Epic of Gilgamesh

It is an old story

But one that can still be told

About a man who loved

And lost a friend to death

And learned he lacked the power

To bring him back to life.

It is the story of Gilgamesh

And his friend Enkidu.

Tablet I

1 He who has seen everything, I will make known to the lands. I will teach about him who experienced all things, alike. Anu granted him the totality of knowledge of all. He saw the Secret, discovered the Hidden, he brought information of (the time) before the Flood. He went on a distant journey, pushing himself to exhaustion, but then was brought to peace. He carved on a stone stele all of his toils, and built the wall of Uruk-Haven, the wall of the sacred Eanna Temple, the holy sanctuary. Look at its wall which gleams like copper, inspect its inner wall, the likes of which no one can equal! Take hold of the threshold stone--it dates from ancient times! Go close to the Eanna Temple, the residence of Ishtar, such as no later king or man ever equaled! Go up on the wall of Uruk and walk around, examine its foundation, inspect its brickwork thoroughly. Is not even the core of the brick structure made of kiln-fired brick, and did not the Seven Sages themselves lay out its plans?

2. “ One league city, one league palm gardens, one league lowlands, the open area of the Ishtar Temple, three leagues and the open area of Uruk it the wall encloses. “

3. Find the copper tablet box, open the lid of its lock of bronze, undo the fastening of its secret opening. Take and read out from the lapis lazuli tablet how Gilgamesh went through every hardship.

4. Supreme over other kings, lordly in appearance, he is the hero, born of Uruk, the goring wild bull. He walks our in front, the leader, and walks at the rear, trusted by his companions. Mighty yet, protector of his people, raging flood-wave who destroys even walls of stone! Offspring of Lugalbanda, Gilgamesh is strong to perfection, son of the august cow, Rimat-Ninsun; Gilgamesh is awesome to perfection. It was he who opened the mountain passes, who dug wells on the flank of the mountain. It was he who crossed the ocean, the vast seas, to the rising sun, who explored the world regions, seeking life. It was he who reached by his own sheer strength Utanapishtim, the Faraway, who restored the sanctuaries that the Flood had destroyed for teeming mankind.

5. Who can compare with him in kingliness? Who can say like Gilgamesh: "I am King!"? (or like Lenze: “I am his Excellenze, lord Jso7m378, by the grace of God, Tash Bahn of T’fiws, may I live forever, amen!”?)

Whose name, from the day of his birth, was called "Gilgamesh"?

6. Two-thirds of him is god, one-third of him is human. The Great Goddess Aruru designed the model for his body, she prepared his form, (humbly pause and take a breath of sheer delight) beautiful, handsomest of men, perfect. He walks around in the enclosure of Uruk. Like a wild bull he makes himself mighty, head raised over others. There is no rival who can raise his weapon against him. His fellows stand at the alert, attentive to his orders, and the men of Uruk become anxious in victory over their enemies.

[The following lines are interpreted as rhetorical, perhaps spoken by me oppressed citizens of Urnk.]

Is Gilgamesh the shepherd of Uruk-Haven?

(Is he the shepherd?)

Bold, eminent, knowing, and wise!

Gilgamesh does not leave a girl to her mother

The daughter of the warrior, the bride of the young man.

The gods kept hearing their complaints, so

the gods of the heavens implored the Lord of Uruk [Anu]

"You have indeed brought into being a mighty wild bull, head raised!

"There is no rival who can raise a weapon against him.

"Gilgamesh does not leave a son to his father,

"day and night he arrogantly takes all to himself.”

8. Anu listened to their complaints and (the gods) called out to Aruru: "it was you, Aruru, who created mankind, now create a zikru (monster) on earth. Let him be equal to Gilgamesh's stormy heart, let them be a match for each other so that the people of Uruk may find peace!"

9. When Aruru heard this she created within herself the zikrtt of Anu. Aruru washed her hands, she pinched off some clay, and threw it into the wilderness. In the wildness she created valiant Enkidu, born of Silence, endowed with strength by Ninurta. His whole body was shaggy with hair, he had a full head of hair like a woman, his locks billowed in profusion like Ashnan. He knew neither people nor settled living, but wore a garment like Sumukan." He ate grasses with the gazelles, and jostled at the watering hole with the animals; as with animals, his thirst was slaked with (mere) water.

10. A notorious trapper came face-to-face with him opposite the watering hole. A first, a second, and a third day he came face-to-face with him opposite the watering hole. On seeing him the trapper's face went stark with fear, and he and his animals drew back home. He was rigid with fear; though stock-still his heart pounded and his face drained of color. He was miserable to the core, and his face looked like one who had made a long journey. The trapper addressed his father saying:"

11.

"Father, a certain fellow has come from the mountains. He is the mightiest in the land, his strength is as mighty as the meteorite of Anu! He continually goes over the mountains, he continually jostles at the watering place with the animals, he continually plants his feet opposite the watering place. I was afraid, so I did not go up to him. He filled in the pits that I had dug, wrenched out my traps that I had spread, released from my grasp the wild animals. He does not let me make my rounds in the wilderness!"

12.

The trapper's father spoke to him saying: "My son, there lives in Uruk a certain Gilgamesh. There is no one stronger than he, he is as strong as the meteorite of Anu. Go, set off to Uruk, tell Gilgamesh of this Man of Might. He will give you the harlot Shamhat, take her with you. The woman will overcome the fellow as if she were strong. When he sees her he will draw near to her, and his animals, who grew up in his wilderness, will be alien to him."

13. He heeded his father's advice. The trapper went off to Uruk, he made the journey, stood inside of Uruk, and declared to Gilgamesh:

"There is a certain fellow who has come from the mountains-- he is the mightiest in the land, his strength is as mighty as the meteorite of Anu! He continually goes over the mountains, he continually jostles at the watering place with the animals, he continually plants his feet opposite the watering place. I was afraid, so I did not go up to him. He filled in the pits that I had dug, wrenched out my traps that I had spread, released from my grasp the wild animals. He does not let me make my rounds in the wilderness!"

14. Gilgamesh said to the trapper:

"Go, trapper, bring the harlot, Shamhat, with you. When he sees her he will draw near to her, and his animals, who grew up in his wilderness, will be alien to him."

15. The trapper went, bringing the harlot, Shamhat, with him. They set off on the journey, making direct way. On the third day they arrived at the appointed place, and the trapper and the harlot sat down at their posts. A first day and a second they sat opposite the watering hole. The animals arrived and drank at the watering hole, the wild beasts arrived and slaked their thirst with water. Then he, Enkidu the Zikru, offspring of the mountains, who eats grasses with the gazelles, came to drink at the watering hole with the animals, with the wild beasts he slaked his thirst with water.

16. Then Shamhat saw him--a primitive, a savage fellow from the depths of the wilderness! "That is he, Shamhat! Go to him so he can take in your voluptuousness. Do not be restrained--take his energy! When he sees you he will draw near to you. Spread out your robe and perform the task of womankind! His animals, who grew up in his wilderness, will become alien to him, and his lust will groan over you."

17. Shamhat was not restrained, but took his energy. His lust groaned over her; for six days and seven nights Enkidu had intercourse with the harlot until he was sated with her charms. But when he turned his attention to his animals, the gazelles saw Enkidu and darted off, the wild animals distanced themselves from his body. Enkidu, his utterly depleted body, his knees that wanted to go off with his animals went rigid; Enkidu was diminished, his running was not as before. But then he drew himself up, for his understanding had broadened. Turning around, he sat down at the harlot's feet, gazing into her face, his ears attentive as the harlot spoke.

18. The harlot said to Enkidu:

"You are beautiful. Enkidu, you are become like a god. Why do you gallop around the wilderness with the wild beasts? Come, let me bring you into Uruk-Haven, to the Holy Temple, the residence of Anu and Ishtar, the place of Gilgamesh, who is wise to perfection, but who struts his power over the people like a wild bull." What she kept saying found favor with him. Becoming aware of himself, he sought a friend.

19. Enkidu spoke to the harlot:

"Come, Shamhat, take me away with you to the sacred Holy Temple, the residence of Anu and Ishtar,

the place of Gilgamesh, who is wise to perfection, but who struts his power over the people like a wild bull. I will challenge him. Let me shout out in Uruk: “I am the mighty one!” Lead me in and I will change the order of things; he whose strength is mightiest is the one born in the wilderness!"

20. Gilgamesh got up and revealed the dream, saying to his mother:

"Mother, I had a dream last night. Stars of the sky appeared, and some kind of meteorite of Anu fell next to me. I tried to lift it but it was too mighty for me, I tried to turn it over but I could not budge it. The Land of Uruk was standing around it, the whole land had assembled about it, the populace was thronging around it, the Men clustered about it, and kissed its feet as if it were a little baby! I loved it and embraced it as a wife. I laid it down at your feet, and you made it compete with me."

21. The mother of Gilgamesh, the wise, all-knowing, said to her Lord;

"There will come to you a mighty man, a comrade who saves his friend-- he is the mightiest in the land, he is strongest, his strength is mighty as the meteorite! of Anu! You loved him and embraced him as a the closest friend; and it is he who will repeatedly save you.”

22. A second time Gilgamesh said to his mother:

"May I have a friend and adviser, a friend and adviser may I have! You have interpreted for me the dreams about him!"

23. After the harlot recounted the dreams of Gilgamesh to Enkidu

the two of them made love.

Tablet II

1. Enkidu sits in front of her. She took hold of him as the gods do and brought him to the hut of the shepherds. The shepherds gathered all around about him, they marveled to themselves:

"How the youth resembles Gilgamesh--tall in stature, towering up to the battlements over the wall! Surely he was born in the mountains; his strength is as mighty as the meteorite of Anu!" They placed food in front of him, they placed beer in front of him; Enkidu knew nothing about eating bread for food,

and of drinking beer he had not been taught.

2. The harlot spoke to Enkidu, saying: "Eat the food, Enkidu, it is the way one lives. Drink the beer, as is the custom of the land." Enkidu ate the food until he was sated, he drank the beer-seven jugs!-- and became expansive and sang with joy! He was elated and his face glowed. He splashed his shaggy body with water, and rubbed himself with oil, and turned into a human. He put on some clothing and became like a warrior! He took up his weapon and chased lions so that the shepherds could eat. He routed the wolves, and chased the lions. With Enkidu as their guard, the herders could lie down. A wakeful man, a singular youth, he was twice as tall as a normal man.

3. Then he raised his eyes and saw a man. They walked down the street of Uruk-Haven. Suddenly a handsome young man came to the home they were staying in. It was Gilgamesh, King of Uruk-Haven. They grappled with each other at the entry to the house, in the street they attacked each other, the public square of the land. The doorposts trembled and the wall shook,

4. Gilgamesh bent his knees, with his other foot on the ground, his anger abated and he turned his chest away. After he turned his chest Enkidu said to Gilgamesh:

"Your mother bore you ever unique! the Wild Cow of the Enclosure, Ninsun, your head is elevated over other men, Enlil has destined for you the kingship over the people." They kissed each other and became friends.

5. The mother of Gilgamesh spoke to Gilgamesh, saying;

"My son, Enkidu has no father or mother, his shaggy hair no one cuts. He was born in the wilderness, no one raised him." Enkidu was standing there, and heard the speech. He sat down and wept,

his eyes filled with tears, his arms felt limp, his strength weakened. They took each other by the hand,

and Enkidu made a declaration to Gilgamesh. He told him his life story. Immediately the two became the closest of friends. No one could separate them.

6. In order to protect the Cedar Forest Enlil assigned Humbaba as a terror to human beings, Humbaba's roar is a Flood, his mouth is Fire, and his breath is Death! He can hear 100 leagues away any rustling in his forest! Who would go down into his forest! Enlil assigned him as a terror to human beings,

and whoever goes down into his forest paralysis will strike! The people were afraid if Humbaba and cried out to Gilgamesh, their king. Then Gilgamesh spoke to Enkidu saying:

"Who, my Friend, can ascend to the heavens! Only the gods can dwell forever with Shamash.

As for human beings, their days are numbered, and whatever they keep trying to achieve is but wind!

Now you are afraid of death--what has become of your bold strength! I will go in front of you, and your mouth can call out: 'Go on closer, do not be afraid!' Should I fall, I will have established my fame. They will say: 'It was Gilgamesh who locked in battle with Humbaba the Terrible!' You were born and raised in the wilderness, a lion leaped up on you, so you have experienced it all!'

7. “I will undertake it and I will cut down the Cedar. It is I who will establish fame for eternity! Come, my friend, I will go over to the forge and have them cast the weapons in our presence!" Holding each other by the hand they went over to the forge. The craftsmen sat and discussed with one another.

"We should fashion the axe. Their hatchet should be one talent in weight. Their swords should be one talent. Their armor one talent.”

8. Gilgamesh said to the men of Uruk:

"Listen to me, men. You, men of Uruk, who know I want to make myself more mighty, and will go on a distant journey! I will face fighting such as I have never known, I will set out on a road I have never traveled! Give me your blessings! I will enter the city gate of Uruk. I will devote myself to the New Year's Festival. I will perform the New Year's ceremonies. They will keep shouting 'Hurrah!'”

9. Enkidu spoke to the Elders:

"What the men of Uruk. Say to him that he must nor go to the Cedar Forest--the journey is not to be made!”

10. The Noble Counselors of Uruk arose and delivered their advice to Gilgamesh:

"You are young, Gilgamesh, your heart carries you off you do not know what you are talking about!

Humbaba's roar is a Flood, his mouth is Fire, his breath Death! He can hear any rustling in his forest 100 leagues away! Who would go down into his forest! Who among the Igigi gods can confront him?

11. Gilgamesh listened to the statement of his Noble Counselors.

Tablet III

1. The Elders spoke to Gilgamesh, saying:

"Gilgamesh, do nor put your trust in your vast strength, but keep a sharp eye out, make each blow strike in mark! The one who goes on ahead saves the comrade. The one who knows the route protects his friend. Let Enkidu go ahead of you; he knows the road to the Cedar Forest, he has seen fighting, has experienced battle.

Enkidu will protect the friend, will keep the comrade safe. In our Assembly we have entrusted the King to you and on your return you must entrust the King back to us!"

2. Gilgamesh spoke to Enkidu, raying:

"Come on, my friend, let us go to the Egalmah Temple, to Ninsun, the Great Queen; Ninsun is wise, all-knowing. She will put the advisable path at our feet." Taking each other by the hand, Gilgamesh and Enkidu walked to the Egalmah, "Great Palace", to Ninsun, the Great Queen.

[Perhaps some 60 lines are missing here.]

Tablet IV

1. On the third day they drew near to the Lebanon. Gilgamesh climbed up a mountain peak,

made a libation of flour, and said: "Mountain, bring me a dream, a favorable message from Shamash." Enkidu prepared a sleeping place for him for the night; a violent wind passed through so he attached a covering. He made him lie down, and in a circle. While Gilgamesh rested his chin on his knees, sleep that pours over mankind overtook him. In the middle of the night his sleep came to an end, so he got up and said to his friend:

"My friend, did you not call out to me? Why did I wake up? Did you not touch me? Why am I so disturbed? Did a god pass by? Why are my muscles trembling? Enkidu, my friend, I have had a dream--and the dream I had was deeply disturbing in the mountain gorges, the mountain fell down on us.

2. Enkidu, interpreted the dream for his friend:

"My friend, your dream is favorable. The dream is extremely important. My friend, the mountain which you saw in the dream is Humbaba. It means we will capture Humbaba, and kill him and throw his corpse into the wasteland. In the morning there will be a favorable message from Shamash.

3. On the fourth day they drew near to the Lebanon. Gilgamesh climbed up a mountain peak,

"My friend, did you not call out to me? Why did I wake up? Did you not touch me? Why am I so disturbed? Did a god pass by? Why are my muscles trembling? Enkidu, my friend, I have had a dream-- I was grappling with a wild bull of the wilderness, with his bellow he split the ground, a cloud of dust...to

the sky. I sank to my knees in front of him. He holds... that encircled my arm. My tongue hung out. My temples throbbed. He gave me water to drink from his waterskin."

4. Enkidu, interpreted the dream for his friend:

"My friend, the god to whom we go is not the wild bull? He is totally different? The wild bull that you saw is Shamash, the protector, in difficulties he holds our hand. The one who gave you water to drink from his waterskin is your personal god, who brings honor to you, Lugalbanda. We should join together and do one thing, a deed such as has never (before) been done in the land."

5. On the fifth day they drew near to the Lebanon. Gilgamesh climbed up a mountain peak,

"My friend, did you nor call out to me? Why did I wake up? Did you not touch me? Why am I so disturbed? Did a god pass by) Why are my muscles trembling? Enkidu, my friend, I have had a third dream, and the dream I had was deeply disturbing. The heavens roared and the earth rumbled; then it became deathly still, and darkness loomed. A bolt of lightning cracked and a fire broke out, and where it kept thickening, there rained death. Then the white-hot name dimmed, and the fire went out, and everything that had been falling around turned to ash. Let us go down into the plain so we can talk it over."

6. Enkidu heard the dream that he had presented and said to Gilgamesh

(About 40 lines are missing here.)

7. On the sixth day they drew near to the Lebanon. Gilgamesh climbed up a mountain peak,

"My friend, did you not call out to me? Why did I wake up? Did you nor touch me? Why am I so disturbed? Did a god pass by? Why are my muscles trembling Enkidu, my friend, I have had a fourth dream, and the dream I had was deeply disturbing . (About 11 lines are missing) "He was... cubits tall...

8. Enkidu listened to his dream

"The dream that you had is favorable, it is extremely important? My friend, this is Humbaba Before it becomes light we will achieve victory over him, Humbaba, against whom we rage. We will.., and triumph over him. In the morning there will be a favorable message from Shamash.

9. On the seventh day they drew near to the Lebanon. Gilgamesh climbed up a mountain peak,

"My friend, did you not call out to me? Why did I wake up? Did you not touch me? Why am I so disturbed? Did a god pass by? Why are my muscles trembling? Enkidu, my friend, I had a fifth dream,

and the dream I had was deeply disturbing . His tears were running in the presence of Shamash. What you said in Uruk, be mindful of it, stand by me! I have dreamed again. I, Gilgamesh, the offspring of Uruk-Haven, Shamash heard what issued from my mouth, and suddenly there resounded a warning sound from the sky. "Hurry, stand by him so that he, Humbaba, does nor enter the forest, and does not go down into the thickets and hide. He has not put on his seven coats of armor he is wearing only one, but has taken off six. We, Gilgamesh and Enkidu, then lunged at Humbaba like raging wild bulls... One name he bellowed, The Guardian of the Forest bellowed, Humbaba bellowed: “Gilgamesh!”

10. “One alone cannot conquer. A slippery path is not feared by two people who help each

other. A three-ply rope cannot be cut. But, the mighty lioness cubs can roll one over."'

11. Enkrdu spoke to Gilgamesh, saying:

"As soon as we have gone down into the Cedar Forest, let us split open the tree and strip off its branches."

12. Gilgamesh spoke to Enkidu, saying:

"My friend, we have crossed over all the mountains together, in front of us, before we have cut down the Cedar. My friend, you who are so experienced in battle, who... fighting, need not fear death. Let your voice bellow forth like the kettledrum, let the stiffness in your arms depart, let the paralysis in your legs go away. Take my hand, my friend, we will go on together. Your heart should burn to do battle--pay no heed to death, do not lose heart! The one who watches from the side is a careful man, but the one who walks in front protects himself and saves his comrade, and through their fighting they establish fame'"

13. As the two of them reached the evergreen forest they cut off their talk, and stood still.

Tablet V

1. They stood at the forest's edge, gazing at the top of the Cedar Tree, gazing at the entrance to the forest. Where Humbaba would walk there was a trail, the roads led straight on, the path was excellent.

Then they saw the Cedar Mountain, the Dwelling of the Gods. Across the face of the mountain the Cedar brought forth luxurious foliage, its shade was good, extremely pleasant. The thornbushes were matted together, the woods were a thicket. Among the Cedars and the boxwood, the forest was surrounded by a ravine two leagues long, and again for two-thirds of that distance.

2. Suddenly they saw the head of Humbaba, the great monster, like a water buffalo he appeared before them. He was huge, clumsy legged, and flailing arms. A single stroke could fell a tree. They reached for their swords, and axes but they were smeared. Dagger and sword were all they had left to them, alone. Humbaba spoke to Gilgamesh saying:

"He does not come!"

3. Enkidu spoke to Humbaba, saying:

"Humbaba, One alone may fail, but the slippery path is not feared by two people who help each other. A three-ply rope cannot be cut. And yet, the mighty lion--two cubs can roll him over."'

4. Humbaba spoke to Gilgamesh, saying:

“An idiot and a moron should give advice to each other, but you, Gilgamesh, why have you come to me! Give advice, Enkidu, you 'son of a fish,' who does not even know his own father. You stand together, the large and small turtles which do not suck their mother's milk! When you were still young I saw you but did not go over to you; but now, I would feed your flesh to the screeching vulture, the eagle, and the vulture!"

5. Gilgamesh spoke to Enkidu, saying:

"My Friend, Humbaba's face keeps changing!

6. Enkddu spoke to Gilgamesh, saying:'

"Why, my friend, are you whining so pitiably, hiding behind your whimpering?

Now there, my friend. Do not snatch your feet away, do not turn your back, strike even harder!"

7. They did battle, with sword and ax and hand. The ground split open with the heels of their feet, as they whirled around in circles Mt. Hermon and Lebanon split. The white clouds darkened, death rained down on them like fog. Shamash raised up against Humbaba mighty tempests'--Southwind, Northwind, Eastwind, Westwind, Whistling Wind, Piercing Wind, Blizzard, Bad Wind, Wind of Simurru,

Demon Wind, Ice Wind, Storm, Sandstorm--thirteen winds rose up against him and covered Humbaba's face. He could nor butt through the front, and could not scramble out the back, so that Gilgamesh's weapons were in reach of Humbaba.

8. Humbaba begged for his life, saying to Gilgamesh:

"You are young yet, Gilgamesh, your mother gave birth to you, and you are the offspring of Rimnt-Nlnsun. You are divine! Part Divine! O scion of the heart of Uruk, King Gilgamesh! Gilgamesh, let me go , I will dwell with you as your servant. As many trees as you command me I will cut down for you. I will guard for you myrtle wood..., wood fine enough for your palace!"

9. Enkidu addressed Gilgamesh, saying:

"My friend, do not listen to Humbaba,

10. Humbaba saw that Gilgamesh was influenced by Enkidu, called to him:

"You understand the rules of my forest, you are aware of all the things so ordered by Enlil. I should have carried you up, and killed you at the very entrance to the branches of my forest. I should have fed your flesh to the screeching vulture, the eagle, and the vulture. So now, Enkidu, clemency is up to you. Speak to Gilgamesh to spare my life!"

11. Enkidu addressed Gilgamesh, saying:

“My friend, Humbaba, Guardian of the Cedar Forest, do not be caught up in his speech but grind up, kill, pulverize, and destroy him! The gods be filled with rage against us if we do not conquer.

Enlil is in Nippur, Shamash is in Sippar. Erect an eternal monument proclaiming how Gilgamesh killed Humbaba."

12. The friends, each by the other’s side, battled the great monster. Humbaba. Together they pulled out his insides including his tongue. And he jumped. His great abundance fell over the mountain, his power to produce offspring, lopped off and fell over the mountain. They killed Humbaba

13. and Gilgamesh cut off and held up the head of Humbaba.

Tablet VI

1. He washed out his marred hair and cleaned up his equipment, shaking out his locks down over his back, throwing off his dirty clothes and putting on clean ones. He wrapped himself in regal garments and fastened the sash. When Gilgamesh placed his crown on his head, a princess, Ishtar, raised her eyes to the beauty of Gilgamesh.

"Come along, Gilgamesh, be you my husband, to me grant your lusciousness. Be you my husband, and I will be your wife. I will have harnessed for you a chariot of lapis lazuli and gold, with wheels of gold and 'horns' of electrum. It will he harnessed with great storming mountain mules! Come into our house, with the fragrance of cedar. And when you come into our house the doorpost and throne dais I will kiss your feet.”

2. Gilgamesh addressed Princess Ishtar saying:

"What would I have to give you if I married you! Do you need oil or garments for your body! Do you lack anything for food or drink! I would gladly feed you food fit for a god, I would gladly give you wine fit for a king! But you have made the street your home, you are clothed in a garments and any lusting man may have you! Where are your bridegrooms that you keep forever?

You loved the colorful 'Little Shepherd' bird and then hit him, breaking his wing, so now he stands in the forest crying 'My Wing'!

You loved the supremely mighty lion, yet you dug for him seven and again seven pits.

You loved the stallion, famed in battle, yet you ordained for him the whip, the goad, and the lash, ordained for him to gallop for seven and seven hours, ordained for him drinking from muddled waters,' you ordained far his mother Silili to wail continually.

You loved the Shepherd, the Master Herder, who continually presented you with bread baked in embers, and who daily slaughtered for you a kid. Yet you struck him, and turned him into a wolf, so his own shepherds now chase him and his own dogs snap at his shins.

You loved Ishullanu, your father's date gardener, who continually brought you baskets of dates, and brightened your table daily. You raised your eyes to him, and you went to him.

You are a woman of many men, a harlot, a prostitute. Me! What is it you want from me! Has my mother not baked, and have I not eaten that I should now eat food under contempt and curses and that alfalfa grass should be my only cover against the cold? It is me you love, and you will ordain for me as

for them!"

3. When Ishtar heard this, in a fury she went up to the heavens, going to Anu, her father, and crying, going to Anrum, her mother, and weeping:

"Father, Gilgamesh has insulted me over and over, Gilgamesh has recounted despicable deeds about me, despicable deeds and curses!"

4. Anu addressed Princess Ishtar, saying:

"What is the matter? Was it not you who provoked King Gilgamesh? So Gilgamesh recounted despicable deeds about you, despicable deeds and curses!"

5. Ishtar spoke to her father, Anu, saying:

"Father, give me the Bull of Heaven, so he can kill Gilgamesh in his dwelling. If you do not give me the Bull of Heaven, I will knock down the Gates of the Netherworld, I will smash the door posts, and leave the doors flat down, and will let the dead go up to eat the living! And the dead will outnumber the living!"

6. Anu addressed princess Ishtar, saying:

"If you demand the Bull of Heaven from me, there will be seven years of empty husks for the land of Uruk. Have you collected grain for the people! Have you made grasses grow for the animals?"

7. Ishtar addressed Anu, her father, saying:

"I have heaped grain in the granaries for the people, I made grasses grow for the animals, in order that they might eat in the seven years of empty husks. I have collected grain for the people, I have made grasses grow for the animals."

8. When Anu heard her words, he placed the noserope of the Bull of Heaven in her hand. Ishtar led the Bull of Heaven down to the earth. When it reached Uruk It climbed down to the Euphrates. At the snort of the Bull of Heaven a huge pit opened up, and 100 Young Men of Uruk fell in. At his second snort a huge pit opened up, and 200 Young Men of Uruk fell in. At his third snort a huge pit opened up,

and Enkidu fell in up to his waist. Then Enkidu jumped out and seized the Bull of Heaven by its horns. The Bull spewed his spittle in front of him, with his thick tail he flung his dung behind him .

9. Enkidu addressed Gilgamesh, saying:

"My friend, we can be bold. How shall we respond? My friend, I will rip out its inner parts. No longer will it have the power to procreate. I and you, we must share. I shall grasp the Bull. I will fill my hands with it’s hide and you, between the nape, the horns, and you shall thrust your sword."

10. Enkidu stalked and hunted down the Bull of Heaven. He grasped it by the thick of its tail and held onto it with both his hands , while Gilgamesh, like an expert butcher, boldly and surely approached the Bull of Heaven. Between the nape, the horns he thrust his sword. After they had killed the Bull of Heaven, they ripped out its heart and presented it to Shamash. Then the brothers sat down together.

11. Ishtar went up onto the top of the Wall of Uruk-Haven, cast herself into the pose of mourning, and hurled her woeful curse: "Woe unto Gilgamesh who slandered me and killed the Bull of

Heaven!" When Enkidu heard this pronouncement of Ishtar, he wrenched off the Bull's hindquarter and flung it in her face: "If I could only get at you I would do the same to you! I would drape his innards over your arms!"

12. Ishtar assembled the women of lovely-locks, joy-girls, and harlots, and set them to mourning over the hindquarter of the Bull. Gilgamesh summoned all the artisans and craftsmen. All the artisans admired the thickness of its horns, each fashioned from 30 minas of lapis lazuli! Two fingers thick is their casing. Six vats of oil the contents of the two he gave as ointment to his (personal) god Lugalbanda. He brought the horns in and hung them in the bedroom of the family Lugalbanda. They washed their hands in the Euphrates, and proceeded hand in hand, striding through the streets of Uruk.

13. The men of Uruk gathered together, staring at them. Gilgamesh said to the palace retainers:

"Who is the bravest of the men. Who is the boldest of the males! Gilgamesh is the bravest of the men, the boldest of the males!” Then Gilgamesh held a celebration in his palace. The Young Men dozed off, sleeping on the couches of the night.

14. Enkidu was sleeping, and had a dream. He woke up and revealed his dream to his friend.

Tablet VII

1. "My friend, why are the Great Gods in conference? In my dream Anu, Enlil, and Shamash held a council, and Anu spoke to Enlil:

'Because they killed the Bull of Heaven and have also slain Humbaba, the one of them who pulled up the Cedar of the Mountain must die!'

Enlil said: 'Let Enkidu die, but Gilgamesh must not die!'

Bur the Sun God of Heaven replied to valiant Enlil: 'Was it not at my command that they killed the Bull of Heaven and Humbaba! Should now innocent Enkidu die!'

Then Enlil became angry at Shamash, saying: 'it is you who are responsible because you traveled daily with them as their friend!"'

2. Enkidu was lying, sick, in front of Gilgamesh. His tears flowing like canals, Gilgamesh said:

"O brother, dear brother, why are they absolving me instead of my brother"

3. Then Enkidu said:

"So now must 1 become a ghost, to sit with the ghosts of the dead, to see my dear brother

nevermore!"

4. Gilgamesh addressed Enkidu, raying:

“Friend, the gods have given you a mind very broad. Though it behooves you to be sensible, you keep uttering improper things! Why, my Friend, does your mind utter improper things? The dream is important but very frightening, your lips are buzzing like flies. Though there is much fear, the dream is very important. To the living they (the gods) leave sorrow, to the living the dream leaves pain. I will pray, and beseech the Great Gods. I will seek..., and appeal to your god. Enlil, the Father of the Gods, Enlil the Counselor. I will fashion a statue of you of gold without measure, do not worry.

Tablet VIII

[All, is missing.] [This is the account of the death of Enkidu. After his friend dies, Gilgamesh sets out on a quest to gain eternal life. He hopes with this power to raise Knkidu to life again. Tablet IX continues the story of Gilgamesh’s quest.]